This article throws light upon the two main steps of making of water body. The steps are: 1. Making of Water Body 2. Planting.
Step # 1. Making of Water Body:
Shape, size and depth:
After making decision regarding the type, location, design, size and depth of pool, digging of ground is to be done. The position of fountains is to be earmarked and galvanized pipe of 2.25 to 2.50 cm diameter along-with ‘T’ junction and pipe of 1.25 cm diameter of suitable length is to be fixed at appropriate distances which are for final fixing of fountains.
This pipe is to be buried in the ground and floor is to be made pacca with crusher, sand and cement in the ratio of 3:1:1, respectively and should be compressed well. Retaining wall of 25 cm thick is sufficient. Care should be taken during the plastering with cement; corner should be well rounded off to prevent the leakage from this area. For filling the tank and draining the tank, the pump of suitable horse power should be used.
If the same water is to be re-circulated then inlet and outlet should be joined with pump. For making pond attractive, different type of material for flooring and retaining wall is available. Keeping the liking and cost, it can be selected. However now-a-days mostly glazed tiles of many colour combinations are available.
For making water fall, natural boulders of different sizes and colour are used. Different shapes are created suiting to site and general character of garden. In such type mostly same water is re-circulated. Therefore the pipe of inlet and outlet are connected with pump of suitable horseDpower, keeping the amount of water to be re-circulated.
Step # 2. Planting:
For planting water plants old tank earth is highly suitable or compost of equal parts of FYM and clay soil is good. It can be filled in basket and plant the bulb in it and sub merged into shallow water. Care should be taken that compost does not get washed by placing coarse gravel or clinker as first layer near the periphery of the basket. Sink the basket a few centimeters deep so that bulb dips in the water and as soon as new leaves appear lower the basket to full depth.
Pests and Diseases:
Water plants practically are free from diseases. Caterpillars and snails some time eat away the foliage of water lilies. Sometime under water mossy algae chokes the growth of plants.