Keiki,

I had never heard of water mimosa (Neptunia oleracea). I looked it up and it sounds interesting - and edible! I do have some Sensitive Plant Aeschynomene fluitans that I got this spring from Texas Waterlilies. I also got some Lemon Bacopia from them last fall and both bunches were HUGE. I've been ordering water lilies from them and have been very happy with the size and quality of the plants they send. Their shipping is $10 for 1 - 5 plants. Maybe somebody in your area might be interested in doing an order share with you?

I'm afraid that my little bitty pond extras would only be a tease in a big ole koi pond, but I have a few things I can send you. Some of the sensitive plant and bacopia, some coinwort (mwaha-ha-ha aka dollar weed), mondo grass (green, black and variegated) and hornwort.

I am experimenting with the variegated ajuga. Jury is still out on how it will adapt to pond life.

Bacopia has pretty little blue flowers.

I think you should consider a betta. Inspired by tales from Lori, I got one for our pond this year. The goldfish are fun to watch because they are always busy, busy. The betta however, is peaceful to watch as he just slowly meanders around the pond.

Perhaps get your brother involved in building some plant islands? Then you can have all sorts of floating plant life in your pond. There are some threads over in the pond forum about how to make large floating island. My pond is so small, I've been experimenting with small floating islands. This is my latest experiment.

That is a sun-patient that I snagged from the lowes dead rack.

Hugs to you and your brother. When I was in trauma rehab, one of my doctors was a dualist neurologist/psychiatrist. In answer to my questions of 'will I ever again', he told me that the regeneration of brain and nerve function is somewhat mysterious, and that the older you are the longer it takes for function to be regained. Also, the brain and the nerves find and create new pathways. Which takes time.

In the mean time, feed your bro plenty of good close to the earth food and give him things to gently work his brain. Like building floating pond islands!

I have found there is much peace and rejuvenation found in my garden.

~dianne

Here is a link that might be useful: Texas Water Lilies

Thank you for your kind words Dianne!

The leaves of the mimosa are indeed edible and taste a little like cabbage. My koi love them, LOL. My pond is small for koi so I only have 3 but I think they are happy. I have 2 preformed ponds a 200 gallon spilling into a 250 gallon. I now realize my post made it sound like I have an empty pond. It is quite full actually but I have always liked the mimosa around the edges to soften the rock edges. I have had the ponds for about 8 or 9 years so I have tried many things in it also.

All that said if you would like to trade I would be thrilled to try your sensitive vine and black mondo. I didn't know you could grow the black mondo in the pond. Are you interested in pond plants? I can share a few things but honestly at the moment I can't think of the names, stress sucks! I also have lots of land plants. I will put a list together and email you tonight.

I love your betta, he is beautiful! Do you have just one or more like Lori?

I will check out the link you sent, thank you.