phoenix44 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 So today i managed to get hold of about 11 plants that are some sort of crypt. when i removed the lead weights, and separated the plants there turned out to be about 20 plants :bounce: so yay for me! what i need to know are what conditions this plant will thrive in. ive read a little online, and it says the plant is v. hardy and does well in strong lighting. I also would like to know more about this plant and would like a definite ID. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 It's a bit hard to tell. They look like they have been grown emersed and I don't grow Crypts emersed. Most Crypts like soft acid water, except balansae and the ones from Sri Lanka like wendtii, petchii, walkeri etc. where the water can be quite hard. Come back when they are submersed and the leaf changes or see if supasi has one looking similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 they have been kept for about a week underwater and havent died yet. but i presume the leaves will fall off now that i have bought them. :evil: i hope they grow well in the tank, and if they die, and I am unable to care for them - would you like to adopt some crypts? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I may be able to help here Phoenix. Just give me till tomorrow when I get home and compare with mine that are growing emersed.Im Away from home tonight. I think alan is correct in saying they loo likt they have been grown emersed. Where did you come by these? Dont want actual names, but did you get through work? or from anothe hobbiest? Most crypts will do well in low to medium lighting and as Alan said, most prefer acid conditions, except a few as named. Crypts will melt usually when they are exposed to changing conditions, ie temp ,ph or the roots are disturbed. In saying that, I Have a bunch that are moved regularly from tank to tank with only lead weight and they still manage to survive and not 'melt'. They seem to do better when planted into a mature tank They are heavy root feeders, so plonk a couple of JBL 7 Balls in with them and leave them, only removing leaves as the melt. it may seem as though all hope is gone, but leave them and in no time if they are happy will grow back twice as large. I LOVE CRYPTS PS, If you dont want them, PM me and I will take em Will get back to you with ID Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 brilliant thanks! and PM'd! :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 oh and with the JBL balls... do i have to cover them with the sand substrate, or can i just leave them on the surface. the tank has a healthy layer of laterite at the bottom. but it gets regulat flourish, plant gro, and flora pride treatments. i was looking at importing some conc. ferts from the states though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 JBL balls must be Left UNDER the substrate, and dont disturb it ever, they last about a year, but if dugout, they caise a aglae bloom thing, and the water goes light brown/white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 damn. lol... looks like i will have to do some skillful planting then. and i may need some more of that sand. :roll: such an expensive hobby, lol. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 Plant the plants and then using your fingers, place JBL ball next to the base of the plant and push it into the substrate.Its easy to do. But make sure you put it where you want it now, cos as Dixon stated, once wet they go soft like mud balls and can cause algae bloom if disturbed, clouding water. Add a new one after about a year or so. Its only an expensive hobby if you make it one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 cool as... i shall get some of those and some more black sand (although it took 4 weeks for this lot to come from S.A :evil: ), and I will plant the JBL fert and then cover it with more sand. thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated. hopefully my plants do well in this tank. shall be very depressed if they do not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 cool as... i shall get some of those and some more black sand (although it took 4 weeks for this lot to come from S.A :evil: ) South Auckland? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 South Africa... hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemines Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 even if all the leaves do melt on you, don't worry too much...when i've bought emersed grown crypts this has happened but a few weeks later fresh sprouts op out of the gravel...essentially a case of 'do not disturb' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 a few weeks!!!?? omg. this shall test my patience levels. ha ha.. thanks you though, knowing me i would have chucked them if the completely died. or i would have given them away if they seemed to be dying on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 If they do a "Crypt melt" remove the dead leaves as that goes back into the water collumn and can cause algae problems as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 A case in point - this was sold to me as Cryptocryne lutea. Straight from the LFS New leaves after three weeks in the tank, fuzzy pic is because of high water flow in tank. I also have lucens, but it has kept its original leaf shape from when I bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 oh wow... the new leaves look completely different! and awesome! :bounce: I hope mine turn out like that - ill be thrilled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 I will have to agree with Zev Mine looks identical to yours Zev. Both submersed and emersed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.