Bill, The only house plant I have now is one single orchid. I used to have 50 huge old houseplants I had to lug in and out of my house with the seasons and that took up practically the whole house during the winter but I gave them all away.
Now as part of my Zen practice I only heat my house to the very minimum in winter, just keeping the water pipe areas above freezing. Amazingly that one orchid has survived the winter rigors with me for the past 3 years even though the temp often drops to the mid 30's fahrenheit at night.... I had a little satori 3 years ago when I realized I didn't really need to spend all the time and treasure on heating my house in the winter. Since the goal was just for me to stay alive all I had to do was wear enough clothes to keep ME rather than the house warm. So in the winter you'll find me layered in multiple bundles all through the winter inside. Since I live pretty much as hermit in my house cave it's not a problem, though the rare visitors I have don't tend to stay very long! :-) After all those early Zen pioneers didn't have central heating or even wood stoves and made it through the winters fine so so can I! Edgar On Apr 14, 2013, at 8:43 PM, Bill! wrote: > Edgar, > > Like I said before I've abandoned my plans for a fish pond. I never thought > I'd have koi but native fish, not that that makes any big difference. > > I was planning on having some plant cover and a big rock or two in the pond. > > I have well water. > > I do have some small fish (guppy-size) in three small, ceramic pots. I have > some floating plants in there. > > But again, no plans for a large fish pond now. Just orchids. > > ...Bill! > > --- In [email protected], Edgar Owen <edgarowen@...> wrote: > > > > Bill, > > > > Normally a butyl rubber liner is used to make koi ponds watertight. It's > > very difficult with tile as it always eventually leaks though you'll have > > less trouble in your freeze free area... > > > > Your koi will feel much more secure and at home and less stressed if they > > have some big water plants and hiding places. Some lotus and other plants > > would be ideal assuming it gets sun. Also it's better to have natural algae > > growing on the sides and bottom (though not very green water) for them to > > nibble on. > > > > Also all chemicals should be avoided if at all possible. Do you have well > > water or chlorinated water? > > > > Edgar > > > > > > > > On Apr 14, 2013, at 8:06 PM, Bill! wrote: > > > > > Edgar, > > > > > > It was my intention to make fish pond next to my front stairs. I had it > > > tiled to make it watertight. My plans were to line that with rock and to > > > put in a rock waterfall at the end nearest the house. > > > > > > This whole effort proved to be more work than I had anticipated so I > > > eventually abandoned those plans. The 'pond' has now been filled in and > > > has been covered with a wooden trellis that is covered with orchids. > > > > > > ...Bill! > > > > > > --- In [email protected], Edgar Owen <edgarowen@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Bill, > > > > > > > > I see you have a koi pond but it looks more like a swimming pool. I > > > > also have a couple of koi ponds in my garden joined by waterfalls and a > > > > small stream. > > > > > > > > How come yours isn't outside and more natural? Animal problems perhaps? > > > > > > > > Edgar > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
