Some success/some...not

[mollybawn]

Hey guys,

I havn't been around much lately but it's because I've been working odd shifts, with no days off and I've been spending almost all of my free time on working out, and working on my tanks.

Gary sent me a great variety of plants and they seem to be taking off great. he sent me 2 kinds of Anubias, a nice bushell of Trumpets (I planted some and have some floating for my gouramis) and a Large java fern. I'm not quite sure but I think there might have been some moss in there too. They all seemed to make it through the shipping pretty well. I lost some of of the java but saved some of it and it seems to be doing ok now.

However. My own plants aren't doing quite as well. My wysteria is rooting well and growing up fast but isn't foliating like I want it to. My cabomba is growing up rapidly and foliating well but wont root. The roots just keep rotting which leads to me snipping them off, re wrapping the plant and sticking it in the gravel for another few weeks.

I'm using regular pollished rock gravel as substrate in my 10g and a weekly dose of excel. No co2 and I'm really trying to avoid messing with that. I have 2 10w flourescent broad spectrum bulbs for 6 ish hours a day. Am I better off switching to sand? Is there something I'm doing wrong? Do I need to start using root tabs for my cabomba?

[Pamelajo]

Gary from Montreal does plants? What are these trumpets, I have never heard of these?
That is great that you have had some success, sorry about the stuff that is not doing as you want. I can't help, except maybe give a suggestion: checkout whether the cabomba gets it nutrients through the leaves or the roots. If it is the roots then a root tab might help.

[silvak]

....re wrapping the plant....

What is this? I've never heard of wrapping a plant in an aquarium......the closest thing I can think of is the metal/plastic/ceramic loop that is placed around the base of a plant by most LFS, it's designed to prevent root formation while in the store for ease of removal and transportation. It should be removed before planting in a home aquarium.

[susankat]

Trumpets are probably trumpet snails. You also need to leave your lights on for a longer period, they need at least 8 to 10 hours of light a day. You probably need to dose some ferts as well. Plants need micros and macros. Excel dose at least 3 times a week as it dissapates in 24 hours.

[Pamelajo]

Trumpets are probably trumpet snails. Excel dose at least 3
That is what I thought until I reread it
he sent me 2 kinds of Anubias, a nice bushell of Trumpets (I planted some and have some floating for my gouramis)

So not sure if she planted the anubias or the Trumpets. Thought maybe it was a plant I have not heard of.

[mollybawn]

Gary sent them to me as a favor to get me started. When I say trumpets I mean Water Trumpet also known as Crypts. I guess that's what I should have said in the first place. When I say re wrapping I do mean the little metal twisty thingy, and I think that might be what the problem is then. I still have them wrapped around my cabomba plants because I had some trouble getting them to stay in the gravel.

[mollybawn]

I didn't bury the roots of the anubias. They're anchored to ornaments otherwise I think the roots will just rot. I did root most of the Trumpet and left some floating. They're doing great.

[silvak]

Getting plants to stay planted in the beginning can be really tough. (Especially when you have sand and cories :twitcy: ) Plant weights can help, and from what I've heard are fairly cheap. I've never used them and simply endure. Large tweezers can also help get them in without pushing away all the gravel.

[Pamelajo]

Gary sent them to me as a favor to get me started. When I say trumpets I mean Water Trumpet also known as Crypts. I guess that's what I should have said in the first place.
No trumpets is fine, I just never heard of that before so I learned something new. Glad I actually read it right. :Smile: That was nice of Gary to send you them to get you started. I never thought of him as a plant guy, cichlids, rainbows, wild livebearers yes but not plants.:laugh: So what are the two different kinds of anubias I have lots of the regular but have not tried others yet. Since I have not killed it might be safe to try something else.

[mollybawn]

It was indeed very generous of Gary.

I have no idea what kind of anubias they are. They were unidentified. One with a few very large leafs and one with more smaller leafs. I will post a picture in "Aquarium photos" some time this week and maybe someone will be able to id them for me.

When they begin to flourish a little more and take over my tank I will be willing to send some to anyone who wants any of the types I'm growing for the cost of shipping.

In the mean time, my cabomba probably won't be going anywhere. Not at this rate. :(

[Pamelajo]

We could always do a trade down the road. ::D: Sorry the cabomba is not doing so well.

[mollybawn]

We could always do a trade down the road. ::D: Sorry the cabomba is not doing so well.

Will do! Hit me up any time. Hopefully I'll have a new tank soon and lots of room for new stuff.

[jewels]

I have 2 10w flourescent broad spectrum bulbs for 6 ish hours a day. Am I better off switching to sand? Do I need to start using root tabs for my cabomba?

These bulbs you mention - they are spiral compacts?

as suggested stretch it out for 8-10 hrs/daySwitching to sand ?

I have grown a plant or two - never had sand.Your Cabob needs no tabs
, , , a floating plant.
You may not see much for root development. Just cut off half the height and replant the top ; once they reach the waterline

These plants only grow from the active tips, the weights they came with will suffice.

Having said that cabob. can be tricky @ the best of times. One day I had a whole tankfull ; and soon it was gone. I do not know if I over ferted or it became to warm or what ?
It just disapeared.

Like Silvak said - plants can be fair weather friends.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo292/themotherjewels/P1030070.jpg

[mollybawn]

These bulbs you mention - they are spiral compacts?

I wouldn't really call them spiral. They're the same style but the gas tubes are not twisty. They're screw ins because I have an incandescent hood. I was going to spring for a flourecent hood but I'm getting a new tank after christmas anyways so I figured these bulbs would do. They're better than incandescent bulbs.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/michelle_meehan/15wattubulb.jpg

[silvak]

Those bulbs should do great. But I'm with everyone else, increase the time the light is on.

[fishclubgirl]

I've given up on cabomba and I'm supposed to be a "planty" person. I can kill that one in 2-3 days...

[mollybawn]

Silvak, I have a fear of algae haha. But I will increase my light time. I guess I have a thing about minimizing light time because I was so used to the incandescent bulbs overheating my tank.

[mollybawn]

fishclubgirl, I have no problem growing it, It just won't root and keeps floating upward. Actually, it's growing so fast I can barely keep up with pruning. It grows up to the surface and I have to snip and replant almost every 2 weeks.

[mollybawn]

Update: took the metal twist tie thingies off the plant stems and my cabomba is finally rooting! I guess that was the problem all along! Also took my java up out of the vravel and just laid it on top of the substrate and it's growing new shoots and repairing it's leaves.

Thanks everyone!

:wink:

[CACAdmin]

Glad to hear your plants are now doing well.

[silvak]

Good to hear things are looking up!