Re: Pond Water

[Gregg Kitagawa <splab@flash.net>]

Marty Reichenberger wrote:
> 
> We are going to start irrigating out of a "pasture" pond due to the
> increase in price of municipal water.  I have had the water tested for
> alkalinity, salts, and all the other elements and it can back fine.  The
> only suprise was an alkalinity of 40ppm.  How much should I worry about
> Pythium or other fungal/bacteria rots in the water when irrigating?  The
> primary plants the water will be applied to are plugs, bedding plants
> and poinsettias.  Has anyone had any experience with this sort of water
> source???
> 
> Thanks!!
> 
> Marty Reichenberger
> Green Thumb Greenhouse
> Independence, KS
You might consider baiting for phytophthora and pythium.  Hard green
pears should be obtained and washed with soap and water.  At least three
pears should be placed in separate open-weave bags and then placed in
separate locations in the pond.  The bags may be suspended by tieing
them to a float made from an empty sealed plastic gallon container.  The
pears should be examined after five days.  The suspected fungi will
cause brown spots to develop.  If at this point none are noted then
leave the pears in the water for an additional three days.  If/when
these signs of rot are apparent send the pears by overnight deliver to a
qualified pathologist for culturing studies.

While the well water itself should not be a source of these fungi, the
pond provides a breeding ground for spores that may be carried by dust
or other means.
-- 
Gregg Kitagawa 
Consultant
Soil & Plant Laboratory, Inc.
Phone 408-727-0330
e-mail:  splab@flash.net