Ummmm......both interesting theories. I know nothing about ulcers in koi. I just checked our pond water. The pH is at 7.5 which is typical. Even our well water is always in that range. Ammonia tested out a 0 ppm; again very much the norm for our pond. I collected a water sample in a clear glass jar and there is no discoloration in the water. We've had a good amount of rain this year so mother nature has been providing us with fresh water for the pond pretty frequently. The only thing different this year is that we have almost half the pond covered by water hyacinths and a small water lilly. As we have had 90 degree sunny days all summer I allowed the hyachinths to sprawl over more of the pond than normal just so the koi had some relief from the hot sun. Additionally I was under the impression that hyacinths help improve water quality. Our pond is on the smaller side; about 800-900 gallons. I was able to examine the fish pretty well while she was still alive and in the water. The "puncture" wounds did not have any redness. They looked much the same as the photo. The theory of a predator attack is also puzzling. Once the fish had died (12 hours later), I brought her in to the kitchen so I could thoroughly examine her. There are no other wounds on the other side like you would expect if something grabbed her. There were no scales missing. I am an adult woman however I have small hands. My husband estimates the punctures were about 1/16th of an inch in diameter. The one directly behind the pectoral fin looked rather deep. We live in eastern PA and have a population of raccoons, bears, sharp shinned hawks, and an occasional eagle. This particular koi loved to hang around under the water fall very close to the edge of the pond so she certainly could be easy prey. Waterbug and Sleepless, I truly appreciate your insight. Any other info is welcome. If I need to make some changes to ensure the health and safety of our koi, I am certainly open to any suggestions.

Salvia greggii are actually very easy to grow if you give them sun and good drainage. The good drainage factor is especially important in the winter. Last summer, I lost several that I've had for years due to the non-stop rain. The ones that survived had exceptionally good drainage. Since you are on the coast you may also have even higher humidity than I do, which wouldn't be to its liking. You may want to try Salvia microphylla instead which seems to be more humidity tolerant. Salvia microphylla and Salvia greggii are very closely related and interbreed easily so many plants on the market are hybrids between the two. The flowers look identical but the leaves are slightly different. Nurseries seem to constantly mislabel the microphyllas as greggiis which doesn't help matters. A few of the cultivars that are easier to find are Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' and the 'Heatwave' series of S. microphylla hybrids. Of the Heatwave series, I like my 'Blaze' and 'Blast' the best. I actually bought mine at Lowe's and saw them there last year, too. They are great, long-blooming plants and the hummingbirds love them! :)

Ask Melvin -Ralph's brother- how to use them. He grows tons of them up in the mountains (and sells them). He made some amazing pickles with some that he shared at the last swap. Not sure his screen name, but Ralph would know. I know you can boil them like potatoes and mash them- said to be low glycemic (or maybe it's carb) and very good tasting and good for you. Since this is the first i've grown them i'm not sure how tall these will get for me. They came from the fair and there they probably got to 6' or so. I did plant the sw pots on the outside of the artichokes, so hopefully they'll do ok, room & sun wise. It's pretty wide open back there for now and i'll keep the weeds down hopefully, so they can wander at will. It's very difficult to water back there, but the ground seems to hold moisture pretty well. Once i get them mulched i'm sure it will be better, too. I doubt i'd do it more than just this yr together, but since the manure pile was on it- i imagine there are enough nutrients for both crops this yr.

I am losing plants for what seems like no reason..I have cimifuga Hillside Black Beauty that was doing great, now it is dying.. I can't find a reason. The leaves are turning brown and curling in. I checked into the soil, and I can't find a reason. I water it, so it isn't a lack of water, I don't overdo it. It is in shade, so no sun scorch. I've lost a few annuals too, when some next to them are doing fine. I have a coneflower that the stems started drooping on and the leaves started turning black...(I took it out, I was afraid if it was something, I didn't want it to spread. I have a clematis that turned brown too. (all in different beds, and for the amount of plants I have, it is a small number, but I still like them and would like to know what is causing this too.