Habitat - Outdoor :: outdoor pond in VERY hot climate

[snazzy]

Will the plants survive if it gets very hot over the summer? I would take the turtles in during the summer and have them out during spring/fall to keep them 'safe' but was wondering about the pond plants.

The temps in the summer here get to be around 120 F for about three months with no rainfall. Nights it probably would drop down in the 90s. Our uncooled pool gets hot enough that I can still get in it but it isn't refreshing because it is warm.

[TheComputerGremlin]

If you have the option, you could try to put up an umbrella or other type of shade for the plants. I'd imagine they would be fine, but if you are worried, only let them get morning light and then put them in the shade for the rest of the day. And if they are pond plants, make sure they get lots of water.

[marisa]

Are you talking about pond plants? Some like direct sun and will tolerate warm water, some don't. All need good filtration.

[snazzy]

Sorry for the delay in response. Yes, I mean pond plants so I would never intend on taking them out of the pond - they would get/have plenty of water since they would be in the pond. The turtles would have to go inside during the summer and winter. I just wasn't sure pond plants would grow or die off during the heat. I can't see myself moving potted pond plants from one side of the pond to the other to get them out of the sun in the hot of the day though. Would do it for turtles but not for plants.

[marisa]

OK---exactly what pond plants are you talking about (names)?

[snazzy]

well, I am new to this so any suggestions would be welcome - honestly the only plant names I know are are anachris (sp?), water hyacinth and water lily - not sure of what is appropriate to the climate at all. It is very hot in the summer, quite warm in the spring/autumn, and chilly (doesn't freeze ever) in the winter. I think it is just maybe a bit warmer than maybe Miami or south texas here - but it rains significantly less. I'd use the plants both as a decoration as well as turtle food in the seasons that it would be temperate enough to put them outside.

[snazzy]

Sorry, by 'them' in the above last sentence - I meant the turtles not the plants. the plants would have to stay out all the time. I'd make the pond inhabitable by the turtles for the part of the year that the temps are right.

[marisa]

I've never dealt with water lilies, so perhaps someone else can help you with those. I've found anachris to like cooler rather than warmer water, and light. Water hyacinth thrive in the sun. Both need good filtration.

Anachris are considered to be an invasive plant here in CT and cannot be sold. I've been told by more than one person that the plant can be found at the bottom of most of the lakes and ponds in this state, so it can survive cold winters.

Water hyacinth, however, will most likely die off if the weather gets too cool, or at the very least become sickly and rangy looking. I tried to keep a few of them going through the winter here (in the basement) but none made it as far as I can see.

[snazzy]

Thanks marisa. We are in the UAE so I don't think too cold would be an issue here. It never freezes here. I think it probably dropped down to the forties or fifties in the middle of the night in the dead of winter. We don't even have heating in our housing here. (ok, I have a personal space heater the size of small fan but that is only because I think of 80 degrees as a bit chilly)

Anyway, the issue is only the heat and plant sunburn as in the summer it will be 115 in the day and maybe dropping to the 90s at night. I want the plants mostly because I think they are cool and they would provide some hiding/shade spots for the turtles when it is cool enough to put them outside. But, I don't want them to die off every year because the water itself will be hot too - in our house we turn off the hot water heaters in the summer as the regular tap water is hot enough to shower with - since the hot water heater is inside, it is used as the cold water reservoir.

Many normal outside plants do just fine here provided they are watered. The typical plants for here (not pond plants obviously) would be things like bouganvilla, oleander, frangi-pangi, hybiscus for the shady areas, vincas for color - although I don't know if they make it through summer. My guess is this is similar south texas/south florida type flora.

Any recommendations as to what plant material to use for this climate? (oh and thanks a ton to everyone - I don't post much but this site has been insanely useful and honestly, a bit addictive too!)