Sophia Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Are there any sword plants that stay about the same size as a small to medium crypt variety? I've had some success with crypts but as I have a low tech tank, everytime I offend them it takes a while for them to grow back after a melt. I thought I could add a swordplant or 2 to give some more reliable greenery. I do have dwarf chain sword that is doing pretty well but I'd like something with slightly wider leaves. Stem plants not so appropriate either. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Echinodorus horizontalis stays at a medium height and Echinodorus parviflorus tropica stays pretty small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 In my tank I find most of the swords take quite a long time to grow - when they get too big I give them away and start again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 What about E. tenellus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 They already have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Yep I'd like something leafy looking rather than grassy looking, but not a crypt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Good old E. Amazonicus is often underrated IMO. Its leaves to get too big or broad and it doesn't get too tall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 I like all of those varieties... I shall go hunting on payday thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 I found a parviflorus sword today about fist size and planted it around noon. It has a stem with a plantlet attached and I could swear that the plantlet already put out a 3cm root. Is that possible or am I seeing things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Probably seeing things again :nilly: :rotf: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 They grow very quickly! I should have some leopard sword pups soon. Flower stalk popped out the tank this morning. Mainly growing them to supply plants for the fish show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Leopard is a hybrid with hoizontalis so stays smallish. Swords will need a bit more light than your Crypts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 I will check it tomorrow afternoon and then I will know if I'm losing my marbles or not :roey: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 It's official, I am not losing it. Measured the root this morning before work and it was about an inch long, after work it's now an inch and a half.... shall I chop off the stalk and let it grow elsewhere so the main plant can get established or is this not going to matter? I fear I may have bought a monster plant for my little low tech tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 It is a small plant and as far as I know the only one in NZ is parviflorus tropica which is the smaller variety. They are not that easy to convert because they are small so best to leave it on the runner and let it grow a good bunch of roots so it can easily be anchored when you seperate it. Nice plant with its small size and "hammered" leaves. It will do even better if you let it develop good roots then leave it on the runner and plant it. The mother plant will continue to support it. You can seperate it later if you wish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 thanks Alan, I will let it grow. The fish will like to chomp on the stuff that is bound to collect on it, badis especially. is this an emersed or submersed kind? here is ol' Parvi - root off to the right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Leaves are pretty big for submersed but they can vary a lot with conditions. They are very prolific emersed but not easy to convert because there are lots of small plants. You should allow that pup to get way bigger before you seperate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 will be interesting to watch and see what it does then thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted November 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 here's a photo of it now, I tried to limit the spread of the longest root by wrapping it around, it's now in a figure 8 :gigl: There are 3 roots now, I'd like to plant it in the empty space while the crypts are still sulking - do you think I could snip the branch and then bury the branch with the sword just sitting on the substrate so the roots can find their way in themselves, or will they crawl over the top instead and should be planted? I see Alan says it should be 'way bigger' but the plantlet itself isn't way bigger yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 It is big enough to seperate. If you bend it back off the runner towards the mother plant it should come free. Cut the roots back to about 50mm and plant it. You may get more off the runner if there are other nodes on it. It may be the normal parvifloris rather than tropica in which casr could you keep me one. Jennifer has a good bunch of them in a Hi Tech tank and they are way smaller than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted November 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 Cool, thanks Alan I will do that now. You can have the next plant if you, no worries. 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.