May - Water Garden Society of Oklahoma

Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
P RESIDENT ’ S P AD
President’s Pad ......................... 1
Meeting Information ................... 1
New Members / Renewals .......... 2
Word Find .................................... 2
Board Meeting Info ..................... 2
Ad Rates ...................................... 2
Event Calendar ............................ 3
WGSO Board Contact List ............ 3
Last Month’s Recap ..................... 3
To Salt or Not To Salt ................... 4
Water Gardens: Sound & Motion ... 5
Pond Fish Anatomy 101 ............. 6 & 7
Advantages of Terra Cotta Pots ... 7
Plant Sale & Silent Auction .......... 8
Members Bus Tour ..................... 9
Local Pond Retail Shop Advantage .... 9
WGSO Vendor Discounts ............ 9
DIY Drilled Stone Fountain .......... 10
Upcoming Events Details ............. 11
Birthdays ..................................... 12
Club Contact Info ......................... 12
WGSO Membership Card ........... 12
Next Meeting
1st Tuesday of the Month
May 5, 2015 @ 7 pm
Donations Accepted @ 6:30 pm
Bring A Dish To Share
Northwest Church of Christ
Family Living Center
4301 NW 23rd St, OKC 73107
It’s time for WGSO’s Annual Members Only Plant Sale & Silent Auction, so I hope everyone
is digging up their extra plants to donate to our club. You can even donate those gently
used items you have in your yard that aren’t your favorite pieces. Who knows, maybe you
will see it another members yard and they love it! Don’t forget to bring a container for your
purchases with your name on it so that they don’t get mixed up with someone else. This
annual event is always is one of our most attended meetings because everyone finds great
deals on something they want and they get to thin out overgrown planting bed in the process.
Don’t forget this month we are changing refreshments up a bit and asking those coming to
bring something with a Mexican theme as we are celebrating Cinco de Mayo. If you have a
special Mexican recipe, share it with us. We will still have deserts as usual, but we thought it
would be fun to do something different.
If you missed the OKC Spring Remodel and Landscape Show last month you missed our
amazing water feature. It was designed and constructed by WGSO volunteers who I’m sure
some of them were really impressed with themselves because it turned out absolutely gorgeous. I would like to thank everyone who helped either working on the water feature,
working our booth, speaking at the seminars on Saturday and Sunday, helping set-up and
tear down the display, donate materials and time. It was a great success. We had several
visitors who wanted to purchase the water feature.
Our first two workshops were a success. Both the Gutter Vertical Garden and Wine Bottle
Tiki Torch were both hosted by the Garrett’s. We had a good group even though we had a
rainy start. Everyone showed up and worked on their projects. So thank you, Jim and Mary
Garrett. We will be announcing more workshops soon.
Our Members Bus Tour will be Saturday, July 18th. If you would like to reserve your seat on
the charter bus we will be selling tickets at our May meeting. Seats are just $20.00 per person. First paid, first reserved, clear your calendar because once we sell out of seats they are
gone. It’s a fun filled day where members share baked goods, knowledge, sometimes seeds
and plants, but always lots of laughter. Seats general go fast, so don’t wait too long.
Hope to see everyone at the May Plant Sale.
PROGRAM
Diane Clark,
WGSO President
Details on page 8
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Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
W ELCOME WGS O M EMBERS
As of the 20th of the month:
NEW MEMBERS :
Cheryl Adams, Roy & Patti Brower, Mary Davis,
Charles & Jackie Hester, Les & Patti Johns,
ick & Debbie Lang, Andy & Kathi McMinn,
Chris & Danielle Shannon, John & Joan Spall,
RENEWALS:
John Bushman, Mary Merrill, Deloris McVay,
Roy & Shirlee Ruedy, Tom & Jodi Tracy, Kim West
DIY DRIP IRRIGATION
Make a slow drip irrigation device by cutting
small slits in the bottom
and sides of a plastic soda
pop bottle, milk jug, juice
bottle or other plastic
container.
If you paid your 2015 Membership Dues and DON’T see your name,
contact Patty Smith at [email protected]
Bury the bottle partway in
the soil near your plants.
You can fill the bottle
quickly and the water will
drip slowly into the soil. 
$570.00
4/9/15
Open to all WGSO members - RSVP Required - Bring a Dish.
Tuesday, April 28 @ 6:30 pm
RSVP Required to [email protected]
Diane Clark
947-6999
Jim Conner’s House
17304 Toledo Drive
Oklahoma City, OK
801-2891
All Executive Board Members and
Committee Chairs are encouraged to attend.
Spouses Welcomed.
Tickets are $1 @ Meetings & Club Events.
WGSO AD RATES
If you would like to place an ad in the
Pond Life, the rates are as follows:
Business Card
1/2 Page
$10.00
$75.00
1/4 Page $25.00
Full Page $100.00
Ads are to be CAMERA READY PREPAID in advance. Send payment to the
WGSO Treasurer, Jim Maida, 10612 Turnberry Ln, OKC, OK 73170.
Send ad to the newsletter editor,
Paullei Mumme at [email protected].
Ad must be in editor’s possession no later than the 15th of
the month preceding publication.
EX: August issue must be received by July 20th.
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Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Members Only Plant Sale
May 5
Meet-N-Greet Pond Pro - Plants/Fish/Algae
Board Meeting
General Meeting
Meet-N-Greet Pond Pro - Pond Build
Public Pond Tour
Board Meeting
General Meeting
Members Bus Tour Seats $20 each
Board Meeting
General Meeting
May 16
May 26
June 2
June 6
June 20-21
June 30
July 7
July 18
July 28
August 4
Volume 29
Summer Social
Leaf Casting Workshop
Leaf Casting Finishing Workshop
Faux Rock Wall Fountain
Board Meeting
General Meeting
Board Meeting
General Meeting
Board Meeting
General Meeting
Members Only Christmas Dinner
Issue 5
August 8
TBD
TBD
TBD
August 25
September 1
September 29
October 6
October 27
November 3
December 1
2015 WGSO BOARD
EXECUTIVE OFFICER*/ COMMITTEE CHAIRS
NAME
*President
Diane Clark
CELL
OTHER
802-6200
947-6999
*Vice-President
[email protected]
Ellie Miller
243-7380
[email protected]
*Secretary
Connie Kaye
826-0157
[email protected]
*Treasurer
Jim Maida
691-7630
[email protected]
*Historian
Martha Garrard
245-3601
[email protected]
*Past President
Newsletter / Activities
Jim Conner
Paullei Mumme
Activates
Sue Jones
Membership
Patty Smith
Plant Sales/Tour Guide Sales
Gary Guild
Programs
317-6016
642-4767
E-MAIL
801-2891
[email protected]
[email protected]
341-4179
[email protected]
694-0886
717-9995
[email protected]
397-5758
390-8112
[email protected]
Connie Fisher
350-3378
[email protected]
Refreshments
Phil & Sarah Grissam
454-3571
[email protected]
Refreshments
Tonah Tharp
973-4209
340-6495
[email protected]
Tour Guide Publication
Tom Thompson
693-5098
Website
Jim Porterfield
Tour Guide Ad Sales/Members Tours
Diane Clark
Tour Guide Ad Sales
Karen Wolf
802-6200
[email protected]
799-7974
[email protected]
947-6999
[email protected]
799-8434
[email protected]
LAST MONTH’S RECAP
At our April meeting Don Connelly spoke on fish health. He told specifics on certain type of fish disease and what medicine to use and how to
use it. We also were told that what medications doesn't work together or with salt. If you have a problem as this is the time of year most pop up,
Always remember you can log onto Crosstimber Koi’s website because there is monthly information of what you should be doing and what medication will work for your problem.
If you are planning to us salt only use Diamond Crystal Salt in
the blue bag that you find at Lowe's. Also, remember to wait
until may before you put your tropical plants in the pond.
We also met the new owners of Crosstimber Koi of Edmond,
Chad and Ashely . When you need products or fish they will
be open the same hours. Be sure to let them know you are
from The Water Garden Society of Oklahoma to receive a
discount on qualifying purchases. 
300 Wade Martin Dr.
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 340-9130
www.crosstimberskoi.com
Summer Hours: (March 15th - September 30th)
Monday thru Saturday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
We are closed on Sundays.
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Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
TO SALT OR NOT TO SALT? While we agree that there are certain reasons for using salt in your water garden, oftentimes it is used improperly.
Consequently, plants and fish in the system often suffer and can even die. Listed below is important information that should assist you in deciding whether to use salt in your pond and, if so, how to apply it correctly.
Why should I salt my pond? - Salting your pond can help remedy certain fish health problems. It can also protect fish from high levels of nitrite
and ammonia that are occasionally found in your water garden. Salt can also help control the long stringy algae that we often refer to as blanket weed (filamentous algae). However, in each of these situations, we would most likely recommend another product to solve these problems
before we would ever suggest using salt.
What kind of salt would I use in my pond? - Salt comes in many different forms. Pure non-iodized salt is the weapon of choice for water gardeners. Avoid using salts with additives such as iodine and other minerals, as well as those with anti-caking agents which can out-rightly suffocate
your fish. If you're unsure about your choice of salt, please contact us before you apply it to the pond to verify its' safety.
How much salt do I add to my pond and how do I add it? - If it is determined that salt is necessary, it is very critical that the correct amount be
used. The first and most important step is to determine what your pond volume is. Use the following formula to calculate the number of gallons: length x width x average depth x 7.5. To begin killing algae in your pond, it is necessary to raise the salt level of the water to 0.25% and to
0.30% to protect your fish from nitrites and various illnesses and parasites. Be aware however, that most aquatic plants can't tolerate high levels of salt and some will even die at low rates such as 0.10%. Refer to the chart at the end of this article to get an idea of which plants can tolerate what levels of salt. To obtain a 0.10% salt level, add one teaspoon of salt per gallon of water or one pound per one hundred gallons of water. Do NOT add the salt all at once though. Add the appropriate dosage over the course of several days to slowly approach the proper salt
level. Buy a salt level test kit and test often to verify that your calculations are accurate and to avoid both overdosing as well as underdosing.
The salt should first be dissolved in a bucket of pond water and then poured around the perimeter of the pond or it can be placed in a stream
to dissolve it. Do not add the salt directly to the pond as fish can be 'burned' by it if they lie directly on a pile of undissolved salt. Plants can also
burn if salt is placed directly on them.
Is there any other way to 'salt my fish' besides adding it directly into my pond? - There are a couple of different ways to treat your fish with salt.
One way is to set up a separate quarantine tank with an airstone or pump and to place your fish in such a system. Salt the water in the quarantine tank as described above to achieve a 0.30% solution after three days. Allow your fish to stay in this tank until they are no longer ill. If they
do not get better, reconsider your initial health diagnosis and plan for a different form of treatment. You can also prepare a short-term salt
bath, sometimes referred to a salt dip. To do this, you would set up a container with a 2.0% salt solution which would be achieved by adding 20
teaspoons of salt per one gallon of water. Place the fish one by one into the aerated salt bath/dip solution until it seems to be tiring, but remove it before it has rolled onto it's side. After a maximum of ten minutes, remove the fish to a quarantine tank. Repeat this treatment after 12
hours for a total of three separate baths.
What are the drawbacks associated with salting my pond? - Salt may affect your plants and cause them to die. When salt is used constantly in a
system, even at low levels, various parasites can become resistant and pose an even bigger threat to the overall health of your fish. It would be
better to use salt as a preventative for disease in the springtime and to do monthly water changes to dilute the salt back to normal levels over
time. Massive die-offs of algae due to the addition of salt can also cause a substantial drop in oxygen levels in your pond, causing stress and/or
death to your fish.
Before deciding to use salt in your water garden, we strongly recommend that you discuss your situation with us. Do your homework and make
sure that you are approaching the topic well-informed of the risks as well as the benefits. Investigate all options before making a final decision
and monitor the situation closely.
Salt Level Mortality for Common Aquatic Plants
0.10% - Anacharis (oxygenators), water hyacinths, water lettuce, lotus
0.20% - Waterlilies, aquatic mint, lavender musk, water snowflake
0.30% - The majority of other marginal plants such as cattails,
forget- me-not, zebra rush, floating heart, and duckweed
SALT BATH BASICS
To treat koi in a salt bath have two (2) containers
on hand. One for salted pond water and one with
unsalted pond water. A timer to ensure accuracy.
Pre-dissolve salt with pond water for accurate salt
to water percentage ratio BEFORE adding koi.
Koi should only be allowed to remain in salt bath up to five
minutes and immediately put in UNSALTED pond water. Do not
reuse salt bath or pour it into pond!
PAY ATTENTION! DO NOT USE THE PHONE, TEXT,
OR STEP AWAY WHILE KOI ARE IN SALT BATH!
At first sign of koi flopping to side, promptly
remove koi and place in UNSALTED pond water.
Diamond Crystals Solar Naturals (Blue Bag):
Safe for Koi Available in 40 lb bags at big box stores.
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Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
WATER GARDENS: ALIVE WITH SOUND AND MOTION
BY DAVID B. DUENSING, ASLA
Making a water feature an important aspect in a landscape or garden is something
that has been done in other countries for centuries. But here in the U.S., widespread
use of water in our landscapes and gardens has taken hold only relatively recently.
For centuries, water has been the element that has attracted both humans and wildlife for the purpose of survival. However, during the last several years, there has
been a strong and steady demand to create more inviting and personal environments at home, work and public gathering areas. Nowadays, water is being used to
enhance views, create personal paradises, and add value to property.
Some of the most remarkable elements
that water brings to a landscape are sound, motion, and wonderful reflective qualities. In addition,
water has a calming and soothing side effect that provides important health benefits. Many landscapes
and gardens are quite beautiful with their colorful flower variety and tasteful hardscapes, but all these
are typically static—they usually do not move or make any sounds. This is not to imply that this is bad,
but if you desire to take your project to a higher and more complete level, adding water sounds and
motion are key elements to consider.
A great way to experience these qualities is to stroll through a Japanese or botanic garden where paths
meander through the grounds. Oftentimes you will hear a stream or waterfall before it becomes visible. Notice too, that when it is finally in view it is not typically entirely revealed at any one time. There
is a lot to be said about creating a destination, as well as a bit of mystery. Professional garden designers
often use water sounds to mask noise from surrounding highway traffic and other distractions. Water
allows the designer to create a more desirable environment. The intent is not necessarily to create a
louder sound to overpower other noise; instead, it is to generate a variety of water tones for the human subconscious to pick up and actually focus upon.
The aspects of sound that we work to create fall into three categories: volume, pitch, and directional control.
Volume – The loudness of the sound we wish to create is important to understand, as is the effect it will have in the area around the water feature. If the surrounding area is large and/or open, there may be more need to generate greater volume. On the other hand, if the water feature
will be indoors or near one or two walls, the sound will be reflected off the hard surfaces. This can create too much sound, making the space less
useful and enjoyable for conversation or relaxation.
Pitch – This aspect of sound is not commonly understood or controlled by waterfall builders, but is crucial, regardless of the size of the waterfall.
Generally, waterfall pitches range from low, medium, to high. Designers should understand which pitches will be most useful in each specific
application, and how to effectively generate them. Higher-pitch waterfall sounds help tune out car and airplane noise, whereas low-pitch sounds
help make the waterfall feel more forceful and make an overall impact. However, be cautious because too much low-pitch sound also tends to
mute the human voice.
Another aspect to consider is that, any time you create a steady and continuous pitch, the human subconscious will tend to disregard it and
attempt to focus on other sounds. Therefore, it is important to create a ‘melody’ of sounds that are ever-changing through a variety of different
pitches.
Directional control -- The third aspect of waterfall sound control is the ability to project
sounds to various locations (within reason). Projecting sound towards a deck, patio, walk,
open window, etc. is possible but not typically understood or managed well. Much of
sound directional control is affected by how the rock formations are constructed, and
oriented to the key viewing or enjoyment areas.
An additional and wonderful aspect of water features that is too often ignored is the
reflective qualities of a pool of water. Many people desire to light a pond at night (which
is a nice effect) but sometimes the biggest bang comes from lighting what is behind the
pond and enjoying the reflections on the waters’ surface.
A nice trick to add motion to your landscape is to work with shadows resulting from a
waterfall. Focus landscape lighting onto the pond surface, which then will bounce off
onto the surrounding landscape. The waterfall creates disturbances, often in the form of
ripples on the surface, causing any reflected light to have motion. The result is a beautiful
movement effect on the landscape. Using this technique will in a very subtle way, make
your landscape stand out more because the human eye is drawn to motion. 
Source: http://www.asla.org/ppn/article.aspx?id=1696
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Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
POND FISH ANATOMY 101
Hey guess what? Koi and pond fish have a simple heart with only two
chambers! Who the heck cares and when will that be relevant to anything you might see or do with pond fish? Probably never, so the purpose
of this article is to make you aware of anatomy that does actually matter.
THE FINS A pond fish like a koi or goldfish is pretty typical in its finnage –
they have the usual dorsal (top) fin, an assortment of bottom fins, and
then the caudal (tail) fin, as well as a few others.
The dorsal fin in koi is extremely vulnerable to ulceration and it's not
uncommon for the mildest of bacterial infections to erode a hole right in
the middle of it. Once the ulcer has healed, the fin can remain incomplete. When purchasing a new fish, inspect the dorsal fin to make sure
it’s whole. The paired pelvic fins emerge cranially (head end) to the anus, and they're the fins that define the landmarks for injection because it
is the safest site with good absorption.
THE SCALES The scales cover the body and are of variable size, depending on the location, and they overlap at five points. People tend to think
the scales overlap on the obvious four sides but the center of the scale is underlapped by the scale behind and in front of it.
When a fish gets a deep wound, they may dislodge, or even shed, scales. The dead tissue and loose scales that surround a wound can provide
bad bacteria with fuel to continue to infect the fish. To avoid this, gently scrub the wound with a piece of gauze soaked in grocery store hydrogen peroxide. The term for this process is debridement. It's not meant for all wounds, and should not be overdone. Over-cleaning a wound removes cells that are trying to heal the wound, so usually one debridement is needed.
Fish do a good job of replacing lost scales over the course of several weeks after their loss. However the replacement-scale is of a finer (thinner)
quality and sometimes unevenly marked compared to the original scales.
THE GILLS AND OPERCULUM The gills are to a fish what your lungs are to you – a delicate organ system that exposes all of your blood to oxygen. The gills are exactly the same structure only they're pushing the blood through capillaries that exchange with water, not air.
What most people don’t know is that the gills perform another important function – the excretion of fish waste in the form of ammonia. The
gills are the most important waste excretion organ in the fish’s body.
You can see that damage to the gills by way of infection with bacteria, destruction via viruses such as Koi Herpes Virus, infestation with parasites, or just damage from medications or poor water quality, can impact the fish far more than just breathing.
The operculum is the thick boney covering on either side of the head, and protects the gill arches. You may need to lift the operculum to examine the gills, but don't lift it too far or it might tear. The gills of any sick or dead fish can be photographed to provide important forensic information after a fish disease outbreak.
THE EYES Koi and goldfish don't need eyes to live. In fact, there's a genetic mutation that causes one out of ten thousand fish to hatch out without any at all. If a fish loses one or both of its eyes through trauma, there is no need to euthanize it because it can find and apprehend food
perfectly well with their barbels, lips, and mouths, which are absolutely loaded with sensory structures (taste buds, no kidding).
There's a fat, cushiony blood supply to and from the eye, called the choroid plexus, designed to protect they eye from any trauma. Sometimes
the choroid swells due to a blow to the eye. This is temporary and the eye may sink back into the socket over the coming week. A popped eye
for an indefinite period of time could be the sign of another problem that may require the help of a fish professional.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE GUTS Koi Anatomy Koi and goldfish have a very simple digestive tract. They have an esophagus that comes from the
mouth and goes to the stomach … wait, check that … koi and goldfish don't have a stomach in any true sense. A stomach means a valve at the
top and bottom of an acid-secreting, digestive organ, but koi and goldfish just have a stretchy wide spot in the top of the intestine for food storage while they pass it into the intestine.
Koi tummies hate to be full in cold water. When this occurs, the lining of the intestine is damaged and bad bacteria can get through the damaged lining into the blood stream. Of course, the fish show no obvious sign of this, but may die later in the Spring when the water warms and
the bacteria go to work on the poor fish. This is one reason we recommend that you not feed fish in wintertime, when cold snaps are possible or
when the water temperature will be below 55° F.
THE AIR BLADDER The air bladder is an amazingly delicate structure. It fills with air via a thin veil of capillaries extending over its surface, and air
is released by way of a thin tube that comes from the caudal sac. The air is burped into the esophagus, which then escapes through the mouth.
The air bladder is balanced to the weight of the fish against the water, which is the primary means by which the fish can hang in the water without paddling the whole time.
If a fish is floating upside down on the surface, something has happened to the air bladder's ability to let air out, so it is then too large and too
buoyant for the weight of the fish. A problem with the air bladder can also cause the fish to sink to the pond bottom. This usually occurs when
the spinal cord is damaged near the point where the nerves that regulate the air bladder emerge. Examples include electrocution through a
stray voltage released into the water. Sometimes the air bladder can be removed or surgically corrected, enabling the fish to swim normally.
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Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
Pond Fish Anatomy 101 Continued from page 6.
THE SKELETON Fish are boney, and ornamental pond fish are no exception. They're full of bones and, unlike the bones of sharks and stingrays,
their bones really are bones – not cartilage. The bones of a fish are not meant for bearing weight because, in water, the fish is pretty much
weightless. The two principal stresses on the fishes' bones are hydrostatic pressure from the water, and the push and pull of the fishes' mighty
muscles on those bones. That's it.
That’s why, when you net a fish and carry it in that net, you're putting a unique force on their skeleton which can damage them. The fish is bent
into a u-shape and its full weight torques the skeletal bones. Broken backs are a common result. Instead, use your net to catch the fish and then
slide a big plastic bowl under the fish to carry it in.
If a fish has a broken back, the cure is simply time. The fish may compensate the injury – even if crooked from that day on – or it may simply
starve to death.
THE MUSCLES Your muscles and fish muscles are really different. If you've ever seen a fish filet you remember that there are red and white lines
in the meat. The muscles of a fish are oriented in thick bands called somites. These bands are stacked all down the sides of the fish in thick, orderly rows. Let’s go back to carrying fish in nets to find out why this matters. When the process causes damage to the back, it also destroys at
least some of the nerves to at least one of the bands of muscle.
Whenever a somite dies, the muscle gets smaller and a kink in the fish will be seen. The concave side of the bend is the side with the dead somite. If you don't carry fish around in nets, this is unlikely to ever have been seen in your collection.
KOI TEETH Koi Teeth In the back of the koi throat, emerging from the lower gill arch in the back, there are three to four molars. These molars
have serrations on the top like our molars. They're broad, crowned teeth and they're used to destroy shells and pulverize insects and crustaceans scavenged from the pond bottom. These teeth are shed and replaced continually through the life of the koi. They are too far back for you
to ever be bitten by a koi.
So there you have it. The basics of fish anatomy as it relates to the fish living in your pond. Not meant to cure any issue or ailment, but simply to
better understand the inner workings of your finned friends. 
Source: http://www.aquascapeinc.com/blogs/contractor-articles/Pond-Fish-Anatomy-101
ADVANTAGES OF TERRA COTTA CLAY POTS
Clay pots are beautiful, practical and affordable. Your choice of pot is important. It will influence the look, cost and upkeep of your project for years
to come. In theory, anything that holds soil can function as a flowerpot, but
most gardeners tend to develop preferences, and sometimes strong opinions, on the subject. Clay pots are a common favorite, and with good reason. In addition to being attractive and affordable, clay pots are ideally suited for a plant's physiological needs.
Economy: Clay pots are usually affordable enough to suit any budget.
Large, ornate or customized planters can be expensive, but unglazed terracotta pots are usually comparable with plastic pots of the same size. Part of
the beauty of clay pots is their tendency to beautify with age as they weather and absorb mineral salts from the soil. Reused clay pots are perfect for the budget-minded and
have a delightful rustic feel to them that can't be duplicated with synthetic materials.
Weight: Moderate weight can be an important feature in a flower pot. Lightweight pots may be easy
to transport or store, but they can be prone to tipping in windy conditions or with top-heavy plants.
Very heavy pots avoid this problem but can be tricky to move without help. Clay pots are heavier than
wood or plastic and make it harder for your cat to repeatedly knock over your aloe vera plant, but
they are lighter and less cumbersome than stone or concrete planters.
Terra cotta is a type of clay pot - but
they are not necessarily synonymous.
Unsealed terra cotta is gas permeable &
allows air in and water vapor out of the
Aeration: Plant roots require oxygen in the soil to function. Too much water will damage the root soil. This makes it necessary to water
system and the overall health of the plant. In the "California Master Gardener Handbook," author more frequently, but is a GOOD thing
Dennis R. Pittenger explains that unglazed clay pots "absorb and lose moisture through their walls," for plants, even if not for you.
creating a natural safeguard against overwatering and allowing oxygen to enter the soil and aerate the Plant performance in a sealed terra
roots. For plants requiring wetter conditions, customize the permeability of the pot by pre-treating the cotta container would be indistinguishainterior with a breathable latex sealant or adding a nonporous lining to the pot.
ble from performance in a pot of plastic
Insulation: Container gardening requires mimicry of a plant's natural growing environment, including
soil temperature. As a thick, porous material, clay naturally slows down heat transfer between the soil
and the external environment, thereby avoiding sudden extremes of temperature. Clay pots hold the
warmth of the sun and are also able to dissipate heat through water vapor, giving you more options
with which to tailor your plant's environment. 


Source: www.homeguides.sfgate.com/advantage-growing-plant-clay-pot-44614.html
or other impermeable material.
Unsealed clay can "breathe", allowing
for healthy roots, and I like how they
look as they age because they help excess salts and minerals to leach out
through the pores in the clay. 
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Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
WGSO ANNUAL PLANT SALE
& SILENT AUCTION
Tuesday May 5, 2015
PURPOSE OF SALE:
Here’s your chance to acquire a start for something you do
not have or cannot find; thin your crowded garden beds
and water plants; and change your landscape elements.
This is not an opportunity for a total garden overhaul!
t
Bring something to hold your
purchases. Trash bags, boxes,
or buckets work great.
All profit from donations to the WGSO Plant Sale & Silent Auction go into the WGSO General Fund
PLANTS:
6)
Water & Land plants are accepted! All plants must be in containers and labeled.
WATER PLANTS must be in waterproof package (Ziplock bags, etc)!
LAND PLANTS: Plant in plastic drinking, nursery pots, disposable food containers, etc.
Label all containers with the name of the plant it contains. Add the color and sun/shade if that
in formation is know. It is also nice to add your name so members can ask care questions.
Donations to the Plant Sale & Silent Auction accepted from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm ONLY!
Don’t bring then any earlier because our set-up team has to have time to prepare.
If your plants are not in containers, they will not be accepted for the WGSO plant sale.
1)
NO FISH! Do not bring fish of any kind to the sale.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
NON-PLANT:
If you have too many fish and want to share, let a WGSO Board Member know and we
can announce it at a General Meeting, via e-mail, or in the newsletter.
2)
BUYING:
Yard décor, fountains, pond equipment, etc. donations are accepted for the Silent Auction.
Only current paid 2015 WGSO members can participate. Membership dues may be paid at door.
Bring cash in small bills. You must pay for your items after each trip.
3) Only one (1) family member per membership can participate in the Plant Sale.
4) Prearranged selection process. Each group can select only three (3) different items per trip.
All items MUST be different! No two items can be alike.
5) All sales are final. All items will be sold and removed from building at close of sale.
1)
2)
SILENT AUCTION:
Large and/or unique plant donations will be sold at the Silent Auction. All plants must be in
containers (Water Plants must be in waterproof containeers). All plants must be labeled.
2) Yard décor and pond equipment donations are accepted for the Silent Auction. Please label
what the item is along with your name in case there are any questions.
3) Each item will be sold to the highest bidder. Bidders can write a check for all Silent Auction
purchases. All winning bidders must pay for items at close of Silent Auction and remove
items from the building.
1)
Questions? Contact Gary Guild, Plant Sale Chair, 390-8112 or [email protected]
WGSO Plant Sale & Silent Auction Timeline
Set-Up Team Only
Donation Delivery
Plant Sale
Silent Auction
Clean-Up
6:00 to 6:30
6:30 to 7:00
7:00 to 8:00
7:00 to 8:30
8:45 to 9:00
WGSO Plant Sale Helpers Wanted
Set-Up Crew @ 6:00 pm
Three (3) Cashiers
Clean-Up Crew @ 8:45 pm
8
Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
2015 WGSO MEMBERS BUS TOUR
SATURDAY JULY 18
Seats go on sale at the May General Meeting. Tickets are
$20.00 and it includes your bus seat on the bus, 2 water
bottles and door prize ticket. Seats will be sold on a first
come, first served at the May, June, and July General
Meetings. You MUST pay upfront to reserve your seat.
Members will bring their favorite baked goodies to share - cookies,
brownies, etc. WGSO has the best cooks! 50/50 tickets will be on
sale. Pack a sack lunch, extra beverages, and a folding chair. Remember to bring your camera/phone fully charged! Lunch will be at a
member’s home during the tour.
We will be departing from the back parking lot the Northwest
Church of Christ, where WGSO meetings are held. The bus will leave
at at 8:30am sharp (trust us, on this, the bus doesn't want for anyone) and returning somewhere about 6:00pm.
If you would like to put your pond on tour please call Diane Clark at
947-6999. You don’t have to ride the bus to put your yard on tour.
We’ll visit each yard for about 15 minutes and load up to go to the
next yard - all in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. NOTE: Some
locations may not be eligible due to time constraints, route limitations or bus company restrictions. 
WHY SHOP AT A LOCAL POND RETAIL STORE?
I’m often asked by fellow pond enthusiasts “Where do you recommend me to buy my pond equipment”.
My first response is a local pond retail that offers you a knowledgeable, friendly staff, a variety of products and manufacturers, and stands behind what they sale. Yes, you can get the same products on-line
but you won’t receive the personal customer service that your local retailer will patiently provide as you
bombard them with endless questions about different scenarios.
The bottom line is not about the dollars you spend but the dollars you save. Where do you really save
money on a pond build? The first time you build based on a hodge-podge of information and/or equipment and then when the
first round of money saving tidbits failed and you had to dish out even more money to fix it or by seeking the advise of in store
professionals, who can assess your needs and give you options for every budget. This is where your local pond retail shop can
really save you time and money. Get to know your local pond retail store. If they aren’t satisfying your needs, ask for referrals
from your local water garden club. As for prices, well let me tell you that as a bon-a-fide on-line shopper, I research everything
and have found that in general a short trip to my favorite pond retail store gives me a comparable price, first class customer service, and a chance to see what’s new in the market.
I know of a few stores in the metro with awesome customer service, competitive prices, with a variety of merchandise. Be
aware though that not all pond stores are created equal nor do they treat their customers equally fair. A WGSO member told
me that she had purchased a pond kit from a water garden retailer on South I-35 that charges a 20% restocking fee. OUCH!
If you are contemplating adding a water feature, visit all of the area pond store retailers. Ask questions and see which stores
only wants to SELL you their products and which stores wants you to be their CUSTOMER for life. 
Other Retailers May Offer Garden Club Discounts, Just Ask!
Know of a retailer that offers garden club discounts, let us know.




Buckley’s Sticks & Stones - Flagstone, Building Stone, Outdoor Fireplaces, Crushed Granite, etc.
CrossTimbers Koi of Edmond - Koi & Pond Supplies, Water Plants
ESupply - Mostly Little Giant Pumps, Lights, etc.
Pond Pro Shop - Everything Pond Related, Pottery, Koi, Water Plants, etc.
See Stores For Details - Some Restrictions Apply
9
Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
DIY DRILLED STONE FOUNTAIN
A fountain Is composed of three things: water, which flows up a pipe and trickles back down in a continuous cycle; a pump, which propels the
water; and a piece of sculpture, over which the water flows. The sculpture can be built from any material that will withstand constant water. For
the project shown here, we used large stones found on-site, but pavers, some metals, or pottery will all work.
Regardless of the fountain material, the guts of the system remain the same. It starts with a waterproof tub or basin that lines a hole in the
ground to make a reservoir for the water. Above that is a rigid mesh screen that blocks large debris from getting into the tub. The screen is
topped with a support system made from a strong but water-resistant material, such as composite decking, to keep the body of the fountain
from falling into the basin.
The submersible pump is the heart of the system. It sits below the water line in the basin, recirculating and fine-filtering the runoff from above.
Since the pump is electric, the fountain needs to be within reach of an exterior outlet—pump cords rarely reach beyond 50 feet, and manufacturers discourage the use of extension cords. It also needs to be accessible for maintenance after the fountain is built, so you’ll need to cut a trap
door in the screen that’s big enough for you to reach in, unhook the pump, and pull it out. (The screen and support decking can be camouflaged
with small stones or even mulch.) The pipe that carries the water to the top of the sculpture screws onto the pump. It also includes a small ball
valve that will allow you to adjust the fountain’s flow, giving you the option of creating anything from a calming trickle to a formidable geyser.
SHOPPING LIST
1. Pump Available at home or garden centers. Look for one labeled “submersible.” Pumps are rated in gallons per hour (gph), a measure of how
much water they can handle and how high they can push it. Anything larger than 250 gph is overkill for a basic fountain with a ½-inch pipe. We
used Pondmaster's 250-gph model 2
2. ½-Inch Copper Pipe to carry the water from the pump to the top of the fountain. Buy a piece 2 feet longer than your fountain’s height.
3. Waterproof Basin such as a plastic storage bin, mason’s mortar-mixing bucket, or washtub, to hold the pump and collect the water. It should
be 6 inches wider than the fountain base’s diameter and 1 foot taller than the pump so that it fits all the pipe connections while still keeping the
pump submerged.
4. Stones or other material to make the fountain body. Choose something that stacks easily; stones should have flat faces. The copper pipe will
give some support, but the materials should stand well on their own.
5. Small Rocks or large aggregate, such as terra-cotta shards or tumbled glass, to cover the top of the pit. One 5-gallon bucketful should be
enough.
6. ½-inch-by-½-inch Compression Female
Adapter to connect the pipe to the pump.
7. ½-inch Ball Valve to regulate the water
flow.
8. Screen to protect the pump from debris.
A fiberglass or aluminum window screen or
grille, or anything that comes in a rigid
frame, is best. Get one big enough to span
the basin.
9. Composite Decking such as Trex or TimberTech, to support the fountain.
10. Drainage Gravel for in and under the
catch basin. Get two 50-pound bags.
11. 1-inch PVC Conduit to carry the pump’s
power cord underground to the outlet.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Garden-Fountain-Out-of-Well-Anythi/
10
Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
WGSO MEMBERS ONLY
ANNUAL PLANT SALE & SILENT AUCTION
Tuesday May 5, 2015
Here’s your chance to acquire a start for
something you do not have or cannot find;
t
thin your crowded garden beds and water plants;
and change your landscape elements.
Bring Cash in $1, $5, & 10.
Donations accepted at 6:30 pm.
Gary Guild, Plant Sale Chair
390-8112
[email protected]
Bring something to hold your purchases.
Trash bags, boxes, or buckets work great.
TIP: Label Buckets, Boxes, etc. with your name.
W GSO
Meet-N-Greets
Pond Pro Classes Start @ 10 am - Earn Pond Dollars*
Pond Pro - Plants/Fish/Algae
Pond Pro - Pond Build
Pond Pro - Controlling Algae
Pond Pro - Other Water Features
May 16
June 6
July 11
July 25
WGSO Demonstration
*See Pond Pro Shop for Complete Details & Class Schedule
Are you ready to get creative?
WORKSHOP
Gutter Vertical Garden
Wine Bottle Tiki Torch
Leaf Casting
Leaf Casting Finishing
Faux Rock Wall Fountain
Faux Bamboo Fountain
HOST
Mary Garrett
Mary Garrett
Diane Clark
Diane Clark
Diane Clark
Diane Clark
DATE
April 11
April 11
Sept TBD
Fall TBD
TBD
TBD
RSVP is required on all workshops due to limited space.
Waiting list will be started when spaces are filled. Please let us
know if you can’t make it so someone else can join the fun.
Some workshops will have a flat fee for all inclusive material kits,
other workshops will have a partial fee for bulk materials provided,
and a few workshops will have attendees bring all of the materials.
Check Out the Events at
Myriad Gardens in May!
Sign Up Sheets will be at the General Meetings
Got questions? Contact, WGSO Activities Chair,
Paullei Mumme [email protected] or 642-4767
http://oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events/calendar/
Become a Myriad Botanical Gardens Member and Save $$$
11
Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life
Rita Chapman
John Clark
Braven Dyer
Joni Dyer
Mary Fields
Robin Green
Sarah Grissam
May 2015
Volume 29
Issue 5
Leah Maida
Kathi McMinn
Paullei Mumme
Mary Trujillo
Elynn Wagner
K im West
The 15th of each month is the deadline for
articles/advertisements for next month’s
issue of Pond Life. E-mail articles and
advertisements to Paullei Mumme at
[email protected].
www.wgso.org
[email protected]
WGSO POND LIFE
Paullei Mumme
645 E Frolich Dr
Midwest City, OK 73110
Mailing Label
12