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Water Garden Society of Oklahoma Newsletter: Pond Life August 2013 Volume 27 Issue 8

TT HEHE PP RESIDENTRESIDENT ’’ SS MM ESSAGEESSAGE

President’s Message ................. 1 Meeting Information ................ 1 New Members / Renewals ....... 2 Members Bus Tour Recap ......... 2 Election Notice .......................... 2 Board Meeting Info ................... 2 Ad Rates .................................... 2 2014 Nomination Form....... 3 & 4 Event Calendar ......................... 5 WGSO Board Contact List ......... 5 WGSO Members in News ......... 5 Identifying Koi Types ..... 6, 7, & 8 Selecting Fish ............................ 7 Koi Quality 101 ......................... 9 Power Outage Solutions ........... 9 Workshops ...................... 10 & 11 Upcoming Events Details ........ 11 Birthdays ................................. 12 Club Contact Info .................... 12

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Since Jim Conner is still out of the country, this month’s President’s Message is brought to you by the WGSO Executive Board.

It took it a while for the heat to arrive, but summer is definitely here! We hope everyone is taking safe-ty precautions to avoid heat exhaustion. One good thing about all this sunshine and warmth is our wa-ter gardens love it, so don’t forget to take pictures of your yard for the WGSO video tours. Check in with our WGSO Historian, Dennis Wagner, if you need someone to take pictures for you.

With summer comes the WGSO Members Only Summer Social, which is right around the corner. If you haven’t signed up, contact Joy Patton so you can join the party on Saturday, August 3 at the Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center. Details for the WGSO Summer Social are on page 11.

Diane Clark and Tonah Tharp deserve a round of applause for putting together another successful Members Bus Tour. While this year’s bus tour was only one day, it was a full bus with lots of water fea-tures. Don’t miss Diane’s recap of the Members Bus Tour on page 2. Speaking of tours, this year Diane Clark has planned a night tour with a twist. 1 has information about the night, plus Diane will have more details at the August General Meeting.

Since the hard work of getting our yards ready for the pond tours is behind us, it’s time to relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor. What better way to relax then to join a workshop, hmmm….maybe we should call it a funshop, and make something creative for your yard. Details on all upcoming workshops are on pages 10 and 11. Sign up early because space is limited and there’s no guarantee that a work-shop funshop will be repeated this year.

It’s hard to imagine the WGSO 2014 elections are just two months away. If you are interested is serving as president, vice-president, secretary, treasure, or historian, please complete the Nomination Form included in the newsletter and return it to the Nomination Chair, Russell Patton. WGSO also has several committee chair positions that are available. Some members have remained as committee chair simply because no one has volunteered to take over the position. If you want to get involved and help WGSO continue but aren’t certain what you can do to help, contact Russell Patton.

WGSO member Melinda Parsons works for the State Fair of Oklahoma and has an incredible opportuni-ty for WGSO. Our members have been invited to represent WGSO and do demonstrations at the 2013 State Fair of Oklahoma September 12 – 22. These are one hour time slots which include set-up, demo, and tear-down. All demo must be approved by the State Fair, but any type of craft or gardening demo is welcomed to be submitted. The electronic entry form is attached with this newsletter e-mail. Return the completed form via e-mail as instructed – DO NOT return it to WGSO. If you don’t have e-mail but want to do a demonstration, contact someone on the board to help you complete the electronic form and e-mail it on your behalf. WGSO will have our banner, our poster, and printed materials to hand out. If you want to help with the demos, but don’t want to be a demonstrator, please sign-up at the general meeting. More details at the August General Meeting.

If you are a new member and would like to receive the previous newsletters via e-mail, please send your request to [email protected] and we will forward the newsletters to you.

We hope to see all WGSO members at the Summer Social and August General Meeting. Your WGSO Executive Board,

Jim, Tonah, Andrea, Kathie, Dennis, & Melinda

N e x t M e e t i n g 2nd Wednesday of the Month

August 14, 2013 7:00 PM

Doors Open at 6:30 pm Bring Snacks to Share

Will Rogers Exhibition Center 3400 N.W. 36th Street

Oklahoma City, OK

PROGRAM:

Building a Raised Flower Bed

SPEAKER:

Sam Minick of Minick Materials Sat. Aug 3Sat. Aug 3

“Plants want to grow; they are on your side

as long as you are reasonably sensible.” ― Anne Wareham

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M o n t h l y B o a r d M e e t i n gM o n t h l y B o a r d M e e t i n g

WGSO AD RATES If you would like to place an ad in the Pond Life, the rates are as follows:

Business Card $10.00 1/4 Page $25.00 1/2 Page $75.00 Full Page $100.00

Ads are to be CAMERA READY PREPAID in advance. Send payment to the WGSO Treasurer, Kathie Smathers, 9201 SW 24th, Oklahoma City, OK 73128.

Send ad to the newsletter editor, Paullei Mumme at [email protected]. Ad must be in editor’s possession no later than the 20th of the month preceding publication.

Example: August issue must be received by July 20th.

Monday, August 12 @ 6:30 pm RSVP Required to Russell Patton

[email protected]

Modular Services Company 500 E. Britton Rd

Oklahoma City, OK 73114

Russell Patton: 409-6186

The first driveway east of Channel Four. Building is

½ mile south of Britton Road down long driveway.

WW ELCOMEELCOME WGSO MWGSO M EMBERSEMBERS

As of the 20th of the month:

NEW MEMBERS: NEW MEMBERS: SSue Auldue Auld Fay DixonFay Dixon

Larry & Barbara LeafLarry & Barbara Leaf David & Fran SmithDavid & Fran Smith

RENEWALS: Nancy Fox

If you paid your 2013 Membership Dues last month

and DON’T see your name, contact Elynn Wagner.

Open to all WGSO members - RSVP Required - Bring a Dish. 2013 WGSO MEMBERS BUS TOUR

What a great tour this year! For those who did not go on our members’ tour you truly missed a fantastic one. We started our tour promptly at 8:30 am with a full bus and then we hit the road. We even had a caravan follow-ing the bus, so we had an awesome crowd. We toured 12 homes with ponds and pondless waterfalls, including so many new ones. I can only imagine of how many new ideas that different members took home with them. I even found caladiums that were growing directly in the pond. Who knew?

I want to thank Larry and Claribel Collier for allowing us to have lunch at their home. They had drinks, snacks, chips and not one but, two cakes. Oh my, they were so good. Yes, I had both. Unknowingly, I was even wearing a lot of the chocolate one until Claribel made me go inside and Sarah stuck her hand up my shirt and washed it off. I was sure a mess and so glad they took care of me.

I want to give a big THANK YOU to all who opened their yards and homes up to us for such a successful tour. We appreciated all the baked goodies that were brought to share. Thanks to Don and Connie Bishop who treated us to cupcakes and cold drinks when we arrived at their home near the end of the tour. It was so appreciated. Also, congratulations to those who won door prizes on the bus and Russell Patton who drew an Ace of Spades to win the 50/50 pot. And finally, thank you Jay Jones who always steps up to take care of the ice that we need for the bus tour.

Thanks again to all of you who made our tour such a success!!! It was defi-nitely one of the best. It gets better every year. With everyone helping each other is what makes our club so great.

Thank you, Diane Clark

2014 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS NOMINATONS

At the October General Meeting, WGSO will elect the 2014 Executive Officers. We need volunteers for President, Vice-President, Secre-tary, Treasurer, and Historian. Officers are nominated by self or other members and will be voted on by the general membership.

If there is more than one volunteer for an elected position, a paper ballot will be used. If you nominate someone, they must agree to accept the nomination.

There are several Committee Chair positions that are available as well. Some Committee Chairs stay in their positions for years simply because no one else has stepped up and offered to take over the position. Please consider taking an active role on the WGSO Board.

Please direct all questions to the Nomination Chair, Russell Patton 409-6186 or [email protected]. A nomination form is included in the newsletter.

LOTUS IN CONTAINERS Make a statement by adding a lotus plant in a sunny location. Lotus are easy to grow in boggy conditions and the leaves are as

magnificent as the blooms. www.davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3338/#b

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WATER GARDEN SOCIETY OF OKLAHOMA Officers & Committee Nomination Form

Volunteer to be an officer, a committee chair or serve on a committee. Help WGSO keep our organization moving in a positive direction. WGSO Needs You!

OFFICERS Officers are nominated by self or other members and will be voted on by the general membership.

President: Formulate agendas and preside at all meetings, enforce the Constitution and By-Laws of WGSO, rep-resent Society at functions, appoint all committee chairpersons and insure that monthly meetings do not conflict with Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center closures. Vice President: Assume all duties of the president in his/her absence or inability to act. Assist the president and carries out all duties assigned by the president. Supervise and be the coordinating officer between all committees and with all other organizations. Arrange bus(es), take reservations and obtain refreshments for the Members Pond Tour. Secretary: Maintain careful records of the proceedings of all meetings, record, distribute and post all meeting minutes and call all meetings to order in the absence of the president and vice-president. Preserve all records, re-ports, and documents of the Society in both hard copy and electronic format. Notify officers, committees and mem-bers of special assignments. Keep stationary belonging to the society. Take charge of all correspondence except that are related to the work assigned to other officers and committees. Hold ex-officio office in all committees. Treasurer: Collect all WGSO monies and deposit in the WGSO bank account. At the first meeting of the year in January, the past Treasurer shall submit a final written financial report for the preceding year. Submit a monthly financial report to the membership in electronic format showing all current receipts and disbursements of the socie-ty. Keep all financial records of the society in both hard copy and electronic format and turn over to the new treas-urer in January. Allow for monthly expenditures for routine business of the Society with required receipts.

Historian: Record and maintain all significant information pertaining to the WGSO. Maintain a scrapbook complete with pictures to record events and activities of the Society.

I have read and understand the officer duties and would like the opportunity to run for the following officer posi-tion: ___________________________**

COMMITTEE CHAIRS Committee chairs are self-nominated and then appointed by the incoming President without a vote from the membership.

WGSO Marketing/PR: Responsible for marketing all club events through print, television and radio media. Create and print marketing flyers, posters and club business cards. Connect with other pond clubs and collaborate recipical memberships. Seek prospects and coordinate membership drives throughout the year.

Membership: Attend all general meetings and provide a membership list, sign-in sheet, nametags and door prize tickets. Keep accurate records of the membership database using excel and report membership numbers at general meetings. Maintain and monitor WGSO e-mail account, directing questions to appropriate board members and keep contact list updated. E-mail and mail the monthly newsletter.

Programs: Plan and find speakers for general meetings which are of interest to the membership. Submit information and short article or ad about each month’s speaker to newsletter chair. Follow up with speakers prior to scheduled date to ensure commitment. Draft and send out thank you notes.

Newsletter: Oversee all aspects of the newsletter. Find or draft special articles of interest to membership. Remind officers and committee chairs about needed articles and deadlines. Upon president approval, e-mail final .pdf to membership chair. Website: Maintain WGSO website, continuing to improve site as deemed necessary. Coordinate with board, especially PR/Marketing Chair, to keep information current.

Librarian: Maintain and store library (books & digital media) and bring to all general meetings. Create and maintain library

check out system and send notices or call members who are past due. Purchase digital media or books of interest to the mem-

bership per approved budget.

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(Officers & Committee Chairs Nomination Form) Page 2

Refreshments: Establish volunteer sign-up system to bring desserts and snacks to meetings. Provide coffee, sodas, water, ice and any paper products needed for all general meetings. Set up and tear down refreshment area for each general meeting.

Entertainment: Under the guidance of the WGSO board, plan the August summer social and Christmas party. Duties include: prepare budget, secure location, caterer, decorations, door prizes and entertainment. (This position can be co-chaired.)

Public Pond Tour Guide Publisher: Collect and arrange all pictures, maps and data received from members and advertising chair to draft into a full color tour magazine, utilizing WGSO’s publishing software. Research and acquire printing quotes, print, proof and distribute magazines upon completion to Tour Guide Sales chair. Organize proof read committee. Assist Tour Guide Sales Chair with the design and printing of the magazine stand poster. Work closely with Public Pond Tour Advertising Chair.

Public Pond Tour Guide Sales: Maintain and store tour guide stands. Prepare stands and distribute to approved retailers. Coor-dinate volunteers from membership to help maintain stands during sales and then retrieve stands and all monies from tour guide sales to be returned at the completion of the tour. After all money is collected, create a proceeds report for the board.

Public Pond Tour Guide Advertising: Draft and send letters and/or make phone calls to solicit advertisers for the tour guide. Draft and send thank you notes after the tour. Collect all advertiser pictures, maps and data necessary for the tour guide and deliv-er to Public Tour Guide Chair.

Members Pond Tours: Work with the Vice President to coordinate the two-day member pond tour held in the summer. Duties include signing up ponds, routing, and obtaining and awarding door prizes. Coordinate and plan all elements of the member night tour held in the fall. Duties include securing date, ponds and refreshments, arranging bus(s), taking reservations, collecting money and routing. (This position can be co-chaired in the event of multiple tours per year)

Members Plant Sale: Plan and coordinate all aspects of the annual plant sale and silent auction to be held in May. Publicize event and need for all types of plants and silent auction items from membership in newsletters and at general meetings. Duties include acquiring volunteers to help take money, set up, tear down, and assure room is in original condition when event is over.

I have read and understand the committee chair duties and would like to serve as the chair for the following com-mittee: ___________________________**

I do not wish to be the chair at this time, but would like to serve on the following committee(s):

**Please note that expenses related to the office or committee is reimbursable by WGSO per board approval. The board, com-posed of the officers and committee chairs, meet once a month on Mondays, in addition to the regular monthly meeting, at a time and place designated by the current President.

Name: (please print)

Address:

Phone: cell hm wk E-Mail:

Please mail completed forms to: WGSO Nominations, 3824 Whispering Heights, Edmond, OK 73013 Direct questions to Russell Patton. You may also bring them to the August, September or October general meetings or e-mail to [email protected].

If you have any ideas, which will better serve WGSO, please let us know. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your passion to make the WGSO a great club!

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Members Only Summer Social August 3 Workshop: Leaf Casting August 10 Board Meeting August 12 General Meeting August 14 Workshop: Miniature Garden August 24 Board Meeting September 9 General Meeting September 11 Workshop: Stained Glass Steppers September 14 Workshop: Leaf Cast Finishing September 14 Workshop: Leaf Casting September 22

Night Tour Caravan Cookout September 28 Board Meeting October 7 General Meeting October 9 Workshop: Glass Bottle Rain Chains TBD Board Meeting November 11 General Meeting November 13 Christmas Caravan Potluck TBD Board Meeting December TBD Members Only Christmas Dinner December 11

2013 WGSO BOARD 2013 WGSO BOARD OFFICER/CHAIR NAME CELL OTHER E-MAIL

President Jim Conner 317-6016 801-2891 [email protected]

Vice-President Tonah Tharp 973-4209 340-6495 [email protected]

Secretary Andrea Farriester 664-4293 [email protected]

Treasurer Kathie Smathers 820-2996 261-0298 [email protected]

Historian Dennis Wagner 550-8923 265-3996 [email protected]

Past President Melinda Parsons 520-3520 286-0885 [email protected]

Activities/Newsletter Paullei Mumme 642-4767 [email protected]

Entertainment

Librarian Jim & Mary Garrett 204-4267 373-2906 [email protected]

Membership Elynn Wagner 550-8923 265-3996 [email protected]

Plant Sales/Tour Guide Sales Gary Guild 397-5758 390-8112 [email protected]

Programs Jim Maida 691-7630 [email protected]

Refreshments Claribel Collier 396-8074 N/A

Refreshments Phil & Sarah Grissam 454-3571 [email protected]

Tour Guide Ad Sales/Members Tours Diane Clark 802-6200 947-6999 [email protected]

Tour Guide Publication Russell Patton 409-6186 348-1560 [email protected]

Website Jim Porterfield 414-4371 799-7974 [email protected]

Members Helping Members Tom Thompson 693-5098 [email protected]

Community Projects Chair Robin & Mike Perry 990-6058 [email protected]

Minick Materials offers over 300 different products for commercial and residential applications. Our selection includes Flagstone, premium

screened soils, sands, soil enhancing products, building stone, landscaping stones, manufactured stone veneers, thin veneer stone, Belgard® pavers

and walls, and a complete line of Aquascape® pond products.

326 North Council Rd, OKC ♦ 14141 N Santa Fe, Edmond ♦ 2724 Melba Ln, Norman

NORMAN MAGAZINE FEATURES WGSO MEMBERS

Check out the July/August issue of Nor-man Magazine's article on water garden-ing starting on page 47. Pick up your copy at the Norman Transcript or on-line www.normanmagazine.com.

WGSO members Karen Wolf, Jim Con-ner, J.B. & Ruth Turotte have write-ups as well as several mentions of the Water Garden Society of Oklahoma. Hats off to Karen, Jim, J.B. & Ruth! Thank you for sharing your yards and promoting WGSO.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.normanmagazine.com/

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IDENTIFYING KOI TYPES

All Koi are developed from the common carp however after years of breeding, the Japanese now recognize thirteen basic classes or Koi types, and these are now accepted throughout the world. These classes are based upon the Koi's markings, colors and/or scale type. Within each of these classes there are a number of sub categories. Koi do not breed true having a pair of expensive show champion's means that out of 20,000 eggs only 10 will grow in to that perfect fish. So With so many Koi being bred today, quite often a totally new combination is found, which may not fit in any of the thirteen categories. As they become more popular, some of these unique Koi will eventually become consistent enough for their features to form a new category. Below are the basic 12 classes to help you recognize some of your own Koi. The 13th and last class is any of the over classes with shiny or sparkling scales these are known as kin (on yellow) gin (on white) rin (shiny Scale) so a Kohaku with sparkling scales would be a gin-rin Kohaku and so on.

JAPANESE TERMS RELATING TO KOI

hi red only in patches aka red the whole fish

sumi black only in patches karasu Black the whole fish

nezu gray shiro white

midori green ki yellow

cha brown orenji orange

beni dark red ai indigo

kin gold (yellow metallic) gin silver (white metallic)

matsuba Pine Cone Pattern Bekko Black & White

Rin shiny Scale doitsu German scale-less or mirror carp

THE TWELVE BASIC KOI CLASSES 1. Kohaku 2. Taisho Sanke 3. Showa Sanshoku 4. Utsuri Mono 5. Bekko 6. Asagi-Shusi 7. Koromo 8. KawariMono 9. Hikari muji-mono 10. Hikari moyo-Mono 11. Hikari Utsuri 12. Tancho

KOHAKU (co-haku) – Description: The Kohaku is a white Koi on which hi (red) appears in varying patterns. Each of these patterns have been given its own name. The markings of the Kohaku should bright and even all over the body. The markings on the body should not spread down past the lateral line and There should be no Hi (red) in the fin`s or tail. Variations: Nidan This Koi has a two-step Hi pattern. Sandan This Koi has a three-step Hi pattern. Yondan This Koi has a four-step Hi pattern. godan This Koi has a five-step Hi pattern. Inazuma This Koi has a zig-zag Hi pattern down the length of the body. Kuchibeni The Koi has Hi (red) on the lips . like lipstick oh moyo This Koi has a large unbroken pattern from the head to the tail Menkaburi A Hood that covers the whole head often extending from the gills to the mouth.

TAISHO SANKE (tie-show-san-kay) – Description: A Taisho is basically a white Koi on which Hi (red) and Sumi (black) patches are scattered about. the Sanke is the second off the big three or ( go Sanke) It is named for the time in which it was developed, the Taisho period in Japanese history, if you take away the black you should have a good looking Kohaku. Variations: Tsubo-suni When the black (sumi) is on the white . Kasane-sumi When the black (sumi) is on the red (hi). Kuchibeni When there is red (hi)on the lips . Aka Sanke When the red (hi) runs from head to tail Doitsu Sanke This is a scale less variation .

SHOWA (sho-wa) –Description: A Showa Sanshoku or (Showa) is essentially a black Koi with white and red (hi) markings this variety has changed over the years the first Showa`s had large amounts of black and red but only a small amount of white today large amounts of white has become fashionably which make`s it hard to tell a Showa from a Sanke but a Showa should always have a black pattern on it`s head(manware) but a Sanke never will. Variations: Bloke Showa In this Koi the back is in a netlike pattern . Hi Showa The Hi Showa has a large hi (red) patch that runs from the head to the tail.

UTSURI MONO (Ut-sue-ree Mon-owe) – Description: the Utsuri means reflections in Japanese, and the pattern of a good Utsuri should be roughly inverted across the fish's back, almost like a checkerboard . most seen are the shiro Utsuri a black Koi with white markings all over the body and head but there is also the hi (red) and ki(yellow) versions. Variations: Shiro Utsuri Black Koi with a white pattern Ki Utsuri Black Koi with a yellow pattern Hi Utsuri Black Koi with a red pattern Doitsu Utsuri This is a scale less version of the above

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BEKKO(bay-co) – Description: Unlike a Utsuri which is a color on black (sumi), the Bekko is black (sumi) on another color. The head of the Bekko is always clean with no black (sumi). Variations: Aka Bekko A red (hi) Koi with black patches . shiro Bekko A white Koi with black patches. Ki Bekko A yellow (ki) Koi with black patches Doitsu Bekko This is a scale less version of the above

ASAGI-SHUSUI – Description: The Asagi is one of the oldest types of Koi it has a blue back and red (hi) sides the blue scales are edged with white which give`s the appearance of a net. the head should be light blue or white The base of the pectoral fins, tail fin, stomach and gill plates should be orange or red in color. The shusui is a scale less (doitsu) version of the Asagi. Variations: Konjo Asagi A dark blue almost black back . Narumi Asagi A mid blue color to the back . Mizu Asagi A light blue color to the back . Hana Shusui Where a band of red(hi) runs up to the lateral line . light blue appears up to the dorsal line . Hi Shusui Where the red (hi) spreads up to the dorsal line . ki Shusui Where the red (hi) is replaced by yellow (ki) .ge or red in color . the shusui is a scale less (doitsu) version of the Asagi.

KOROMO – Description: The Koromo (the Japanese word for robed) is a hybrid between Asagi and the Kohaku, Showa or Snakes. Variations: Ai goromo This Koi is the Asagi crossed with the Kohaku its red (hi) scales have distinctive blue borders . Koromo-Sanke This is a cross between a Sanke and a ai-goromo this Koi has blue shadows overlaying the red (hi) scales Budo Sanke With blue/purple marking`s on the red (hi).

KAWARIMONO – Description: The last of the non metallic classes this class contains all the varieties that do not fit in any of the over classes. Variations: Karasu This is a black Koi with a red belly . Hajiro This is a black Koi with white tips to the tail, dorsal and pectoral fins. cage shiro This Koi has the basic black and white patterning of the Shiro Utsuri, with the kage patterning (shadowy, reticulated) on the white. ochiba shigure The name means autumn leaves falling on water light blue to gray body with a pattern of yellow through to orange or brown . kumonryu The Kumonryu (dragon fish) is a black and white Koi that can change it`s pattern with the seasons . Goshiki This is a five color Koi red, white, black, blue and purple . aka Hajiro (benigoi) (beni=dark red goi=fish) A red non-metallic Koi with white or clear tips to the pectoral, caudal and tail fins. Midorigoi (midori=green goi=fish) A green non-metallic Koi. These are usually doitsu Koi, that is scales only along the dorsal and lateral lines. Kigoi (ki=yellow goi=fish) This is a yellow non metallic Koi, the good one`s have red eyes . Chagoi (cha=brown goi=fish) This is a brownish-buff to a dark tea non metallic Koi . Soragoi (Sora=blue-gray goi=fish) This is a blue-grey non metallic koi.

For more info: www.etkoi.org/koiterms.html www.pondkoi.com/koi_markings.htm www.koicarp.net/beginners_corner/varieties.html http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.antonio/antoniokoi_007.htm

Continued on Page 8

ARE YOU CONSIDERING BUYING FISH TO REPLACE SOME RECENT LOSSES?

Be sure that you have established the reason for losing the fish (disease, poor water quality, old age, predators etc) before introducing any replacements or you may experience similar problems again.

Ensure a clear two week period between losing any fish through disease and only restock once you are happy with the behavior and health of the existing stock. If you are thinking of simply adding to your existing collection then make certain that the new additions will not cause the pond to become over-stocked.

Too many added, fish will tip the balance of a well managed pond increasing likelihood of water quality and disease problems and reducing growth rates.

SELECT HEALTHY FISH: HOW CAN YOU TELL?

Choose fish actively swimming not fish hanging at sides of the pond or sulking on the bottom or at the surface trying to suck in oxygen.

Choose fish that swim towards you in response to your shadow or silhouette not fish that are motionless when you walk by the tank.

Choose fish with skin, scales, and fins are clear without blemishes not fish with skin, scales & fins are ragged, raised or with off-color protrusions of tissue from the body.

http://www.pondkoi.com/koi_markings.htm

http://www.pondkoi.com/koi_markings.htm

http://www.koicarp.net/beginners_corner/varieties.html

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.antonio/antoniokoi_007.htm

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IDENTIFYING KOI TYPES Continued from page 5

HIKARI MUJI-MONO or OGON(He-car-ee Ut-sue-ree Mon-owe) - Description: Hikari means metallic or shine, muji means single color and mono means ones. because these Koi are one color, body shape,color and clarity of the head are the things to look for in this class Variations: nezu This is a silver gray metallic Koi Platinum This is a white (platinum) metallic Koi Yamabuki This is a yellow metallic Koi (Mizhuo Ogon) This is a Doitsu Kin Matsuba yellow metallic Koi orenji This is a orange metallic Koi aka matsubaor or hi matsuba This is a red metallic Koi with a matsuba (pine cone) pattern along the back in a darker color gin matsuba This is a silver metallic Koi with a matsuba (pine cone) pattern along the back in a darker color Kin Matsuba This is a yellow metallic Koi with a matsuba (pine cone) pattern along the back in a darker color Doitsu Ogon This is a scale less variation of the above

HIKARI MOYO-MONO(He-car-ee mo-yo Mon-owe)-Description: This group contains all metallic Koi not in any over class with two or more colors. Variations: Hariwake A white metallic Koi with orange (orenji Hariwake) or yellow (Yamabuki Hariwake) markings. They can be normally scaled . but The doitsu variety tends to be the most popular Kikokuru This variety are metallic Kumonryu. usually black and silver but can be red or yellow on silver Yamato-nishiki This is a metallic Sanke usually doitsu Kikusui This is a metallic doitsu (scale less) Kohaku Platinum Kohaku This is a metallic Kohaku Kujaka This is a white metallic Koi with red/orange pattern. The scales have the matsuba (pinecone effect) with a nice clean head. If the pattern is on the head there should be no black markings just the red/orange color Gin Bekko This is a metallic shiro Bekko Kinsui and ginsui These are the metallic varieties of shusui

HIKARI UTSURI(He-car-ee Ut-sue-ree Mon-owe) – Description: These are a cross between Utsuri and Ogon`s or Showa and Ogon`s these Koi can suffer from staining where black dot`s appear over the base color instead of nice clean lines to the edge of the sumi. Variations: Kin & Gin Shows This is a metallic variation of the Showa`s Gin Shiro This is a metallic variation of the shiro Utsuri Kin Ki Utsuri This is a metallic variation of the ki Utsuri

TANCHO – Description: The name of this Koi is taken from Tancho crane that has a single red (hi)spot on the top of it`s head this is the last of the 13 classes and is made up of the Kohaku Sanke and Showa varieties where the only red (hi)on the Koi is a well-placed spot on the head. Variations: Tancho ochiba shigure This is not a true tancho as it has a rust (yellow) spot raver then a red spot Tancho Goshiki The same coloration of the Goshiki but with a red patch on the head Tancho Kohaku A white Koi with one red patch on head Tancho Sanke A white Koi with a red patch on the head and black patterns on the body Tancho Showa A black Koi with a red patch on the head and white patterns on the body

Source: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.antonio/antoniokoi_007.htm

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.antonio/antoniokoi_007.htm

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12V DC To 120V AC Power Inverter

An inverter provides household power on the go! It converts battery power to 120 V AC household power, allowing you to power up multiple loads.

Get your pumps or aerators up and running fast when the power goes out. Protect your koi!

Find out how many Amps the pump draws (read the pump label) and multiply by 120 volts, the result will be the amount of Watts you need to run the pump. Example: 10 Amps X 120 Volts = 1200. If your device requires 1200, purchase 2000W to ensure you have enough power. Available at local retailers & on-line.

Battery Powered Aeration Pumps

An on-board air pump system for boats with built-in live or bait wells, featuring dual high-volume discharges to work with 2 live wells. Low-current 1/4 amp, pumps 2 liters of oxygen per minute. You may need several to make a difference in your pond.

This unit includes pump unit, 10' of flexi-ble air tubing, 2 large airstones (allows pump to be mounted in any protected area). 2 anti-siphon valves protect pump against water intrusion. Quiet, solid-state circuitry for reliability and quiet opera-tion. For fresh or saltwater. About $40 at Wal-Mart, BassPro, Academy, Amazon.

POWER OUTAGE SOLUTIONS!POWER OUTAGE SOLUTIONS!

KOI QUALITY 101

By Bill Ridgeway & Brian Baid, Aquatic Creations, LTD., Ijamsville, Md, (Excerpt from article in Southern Arizona Newsletter)

One of the greatest mysteries to new koi keepers is the issue of koi quality. “What makes one koi more valuable than another?” “Why are high-er quality koi more expensive?” These are common questions asked by novices when they see the price tag on the higher-end fish. The ‘mystery’ isn’t nearly as mysterious as you might think.

Koi quality isn’t difficult to understand once you understand the criteria on which it is based. Just like show dogs, cats, and horses, koi must meet certain characteristics for general quality. Koi quality is typically split into three categories: conformation, color, and pattern.

Conformation High quality begins with the overall shape and condition of the koi, or its conformation. High quality koi should have no defects in body shape. The body must be balanced, symmetrical and torpedo-shaped. The fins should be in proportion to the body and even. Doitsu (partially scaled) koi should have balanced, even rows of scales.

Conformation can make or break a fish. All other features of a koi are worthless if it is missing an eye or a fin. Tumors, old wounds and stray scales can all detract from a normally spectacular koi and lower its overall quality. In shows, it is not uncommon to see a spectacularly colored and patterned fish lose because of its shape. While conformation is important in shows, it doesn’t make a bit of difference in the backyard. Perfect conformation will not always matter to your typical koi hobbyist who has no desire to show their fish. So while one fish might not be perfect for show, the fish may be sufficient quality for the home pond.

Color The skin tone of koi is also very important to the quality of a koi. The saturation of color, its consistency and how well the colors are sepa-rated determine the quality of the color. Without good color, the pattern of the fish is not as appealing and the value of the fish is lessened.

Quality koi should have striking colors. Reds should be opaque without too much orange present. White areas should be silky and free from speckles. Black markings should be dark and defined, as if they were painted with a fine brush. Metallic fish should have good luster (shine). All of the colors should be of consistent saturation throughout the fish.

The edges of the colors should be crisp and not show fading. Colors that bleed together are not desired in most koi. On certain varieties of koi, such as Kohaku, the edges of the red coloration come under high scrutiny by show judges.

Pattern Koi patterns can vary from simple to complex, multi-layered designs. Whatever the case may be, the pattern should be appealing to the eye and fit within the constraints of the koi variety. Simple is often elegant, so don’t ignore a fish after one look. Study each fish carefully and choose patterns that compliment each other.

The importance of pattern is often over-emphasized. Pattern makes a difference in the quality of the fish only if the color and conformation are of equal quality. Pattern is nothing without proper shape and vivid colors. But why do quality koi cost more? The answer isn’t always based on market value. Many things influence the cost of koi, but the number one cost still remains in production.

The cost of koi isn’t so much based on the quality, but on the effort and manpower required producing quality koi. Koi don’t roll off an assembly line, koi are notorious for not breeding true. It is for this reason koi must constantly be culled by hand as they grow.

Culling removes the defective or lower quality fish as they grow. Smaller fish are destroyed, while larger fish are typically sold at a lower grad (and cost). Culling sometimes can be drastic, with only 1-2% of the spawn on the average making to sellable quality. When you consider spawns can be 100,000 or more eggs, the manpower required to grow, sort and cull each production cycle is enormous.

Once you understand the basics, you’ll have a good foundation to go on. Always keep your eyes and mind open when you select fish and you’ll never go wrong. Source: www.nfkc.info/A%20Quick%20course.htm

http://www.nfkc.info/A%20Quick%20course.htm

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$ 0 As of 7/13/13

Tickets are $1 @ Meetings & Club Events.

GLASS BOTTLE RAIN CHAIN WORKSHOP

Upcoming WGSO workshop will show you how to take empty glass bottle and create a beautiful and useful rain chain as demonstrat-ed by Andrea Farrister at the WGSO Spring Fling. There will be a materials charge for this workshop. You can also ask a restaurant for about a dozen bottles. Look for details in future newsletters.

SAVE YOUR EMPTY BOTTLES!

FAUX BOULDER WORKSHOP

Learn how some basic materials can transform your landscape without the weight and cost of real boulders. Get hands on experience with small scale boulders then make big boulders in your own backyard. Dick Cald-well demonstrated how easy it was to make these, while Sandi Caldwell showed how a few daps of paint can make them look realistic. Details in future newsletters. Date pending.

S T A I N E D G L A S S S T E P P E R S W O R K S H O PS T A I N E D G L A S S S T E P P E R S W O R K S H O P Saturday Sept 14 @ 10 am

RSVP Required - Limited to 12 Participants 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.

Diane Clark’s House 4900 NW 35 Street

OKC, OK 73122 802-6200

Add some pizazz to your pathway with hand made stained glass stepping stones as demonstrated by Diane Clark at the Spring Fling. Pre-registration and payment (cost of materials) will be required to ensure enough glass patterns and molds are available. There will be several de-signs available. You’ll need to bring a few items - list will be provided. Sigh up at the August and September General Meetings.

Leaf Cast Finishing Workshop to follow.

T W O ( 2 ) L E A F C A S T I N G W O R K S H O P S i n 2 0 1 3T W O ( 2 ) L E A F C A S T I N G W O R K S H O P S i n 2 0 1 3 RSVP Required - Don’t Delay - Limited Space Available

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.

If your yard is void of these magnificent wonders, don’t fret -we have a source for large leaves so everyone

who wants to join the fun is welcomed. $20 will make two large leaf castings. You bring the materials and we’ll

show you how. Supply list will be provided to RSVP list.

Saturday August 10 @ 10 am Sunday September 22 @ 1 pm Diane Clark’s House Sandi Caldwell’s House 4900 NW 35 Street 3064 SW 67 Street OKC, OK 73122 OKC, OK 73159 802-6200 685-3402

Contact Paullei Mumme for details.

L E A F C A S T F I N I S H I N G W O R K S H O PL E A F C A S T F I N I S H I N G W O R K S H O P Saturday Sept 14 @ 12 Noon

RSVP Required

Diane Clark’s House 4900 NW 35 Street

OKC, OK 73122 802-6200

Bring your leaf castings to life with either stain or paint & Pearl Ex pigments. You can purchase a

sample kit of acetone concrete stain at THE STAMP STORE in OKC (www.thestampstore.com) for $20 or we’ll have a few colors for you to use. Supply list will be provided.


Samples will be at the Aug.& Sept. General Meetings

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Will Rogers Garden Center

Sat. Aug 3 5 pm to 8 pm

RSVP REQUIRED to Joy Patton

1960’s Theme. WGSO 2013 Summer Social promises to be a lighthearted, fun evening filled with music, good food and good company.

WGSO will provide hamburger patties, hot dogs, buns, and condiments. Bring your best potluck dish and enjoy the party.

If you haven’t signed up yet or forgot what you signed up to bring, contact Joy Patton 401-5491 or [email protected].

WGSO N i g h t To u r C a ra v a n R S P V R e q u i r e d t o D i a n e C l a r k 8 0 2 - 6 2 0 0

September 28

This year’s Members Night Tour will be a little different. Instead of chartering a tour bus, we’ll meet for a potluck cookout at Jay & Tracye Jones’ home and then pile into our cars to proceed to the next house on the list, ending at John & Diane Clark’s place for dessert and drinks.

The WGSO Night Tour Caravan is free, but we ask that you sign up at either the August or September General Meeting. If you want to you can drop off your desserts, drinks, and car (if your want to carpool) at the Clark’s before heading over to the Jones’ place. We’ll be visiting yards in the Yukon and West OKC area. Meet at 6:00 pm

The Jones’ 421 Winding Creek Rd.

Yukon, OK 73099

Sign Up for Potluck Dish

End about 11:00 pm

The Clark’s 4900 NW 35 Street

OKC, OK 73122

Stay for Dessert &

WGSO S a t u r d a y s &

WANT TO HOST? - pick your project & date!

Are you r eady t o g e t c r ea t i v e ?

Have a different workshop project in mind? Let us know and we’ll try to make it happen.

WORKSHOP HOST DATE

Leaf Casting Diane Clark 8/10

Miniature Gardens Connie Fisher 8/24

Stained Glass Steppers Diane Clark 9/14

Leaf Casting Finishing Diane Clark 9/14

Leaf Casting Sandi Caldwell 9/22

Glass Bottle Rain Chains Andrea Farrister TBD

Faux Boulders Elynn Wagner TBD

Sign Up at the General Meetings or by E-Mail RSVP Required - Limited Spaces Available. 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.

Contact Paullei Mumme [email protected] or 642-4767

MINIATURE GARDENS

A miniature garden can add color to a drab corner, bring life to forgotten area of the garden, and inspire all who see it to investigate the intricacies that are tucked into the miniature wonder.

Miniature gardens allow us to create magical spaces that are not practical on a large scale. Everyone, young and old, enjoys the process of building a garden in a broken pot (some even break their own pots), adding plants, sticks, stones, tiny furnishings and accents until it is just right.

Furnishings can be purchased on-line, at local garden centers, Hobby Lobby or Michaels. TLC Garden Centers in OKC, The Greenhouse in Norman, and Tony’s Tree Plantation in Midwest City carry an excel-lent selection of both plants and accesso-ries. Some Targets stores have kits on close-out - check on-line as well. Pick a budget and theme, otherwise you may get carried away.

MINIATURE GARDEN WORKSHOP

Saturday August 24 @ 10 am RSVP Required - Limited Spaced Available

Connie Fisher’s House 816 Victoria Dr.

Yukon, OK 73099 350-3378

Bring your own supplies: Terra cotta pot or other container, plants, stones, mini furni-ture, and decorative accessories. Grinders will be available to cut sides of pots. Lim-ited quantities of accessories & plants will be available for purchase at the workshop.


On-Line Sources www.miniature-gardening.com

www.twogreenthumbs.com www.fairygardenhavens.com

www.efairies.com www.amazon.com

http://miniature-gardening.com/

http://www.twogreenthumbs.com/

http://fairygardenhavens.com/

http://www.efairies.com/

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WGSO POND LIFE Paullei Mumme 645 E Frolich Dr Midwest City, OK 73110

Mailing Label

The 20th 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].


[email protected] www.wgso.org

DIG SOME ROCKS: Strategically placed rocks look great and help direct water, slowing it down so it soaks into the ground and is more available for plants. Over time, rock installations will catch small amounts of soil and organic matter and create niches for plants to grow. Watch where the water runs when it rains, and place a small outcropping of various size rocks in its path. Bury up to a third of the rocks' surface for a more natural look. Learn more at harvestingrainwater.com.

ADJUST MAINTENANCE: During dry spells, cut back on fertilizing. In dry conditions, fertilizer salts can dehydrate plant roots. Plus, the extra stimulus to put on growth that requires even more water. Also: Adjust mowing height to the optimum level for your type of turfgrass -- usual-ly 2-4 inches tall.

WATER WISELY: Water your garden in early morning, if possible. Temperatures are still cool and the sun is low, meaning you lose less moisture to evaporation. The way you water plants is im-portant, too. Watering by hand can lead to runoff, and using an overhead sprinkler means more water is lost to evaporation. A drip irrigation system or soaker hose is best. Both are efficient and easy to use.

WAIT TO PLANT UNTIL AUTUMN: This is especially good with permanent plants such as trees, shrubs, and perennials. Temperatures are generally cooler, meaning water requirements will be less. While top growth slows, roots will be developing and getting established until the coldest weather comes. Plants will also benefit from winter snowfall or rains.

Ray Broadfoot Amy Coleman Andrea Farrister Stephen Farrister Phil Grissam James Huffam Dode Jordan Richard Kienlen Michael Perry

Robin Perry Kathie Smathers Heather Thompson Brian Tippin Joe Titterington Ruth Turcotte Danny Wilcox Shirley Wilcox Joyce Williams

Pond Life THE PP RESIDENTRESIDENT S MM ESSAGEESSAGE€¦ · Since the hard work of getting our...

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