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SubscribeCardinal plant?
Cup_of_Lifenoodles
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Fish Guru
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male usa
I recently added a "cardinal plant" (lobelia cardinalis) to my ten gallon. I have absolutely no idea what requirements these things have, but they do look stunning.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Report 
FRANK
 
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male usa us-colorado
Hi
According to the Tropica site, this plant is classed
as "Difficult." It is undemanding as far as pH, and
GH is concerned. However, to keep the redish tones
to the leaves it requires "very bright, direct, light.
3+ watts/gallon. It can grow to 30cm and be 7-15cm
wide.
Here are a few threads on this specific plant from
"the Krib."

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Plants/Lobelia.html

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Report 
littlemousling
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Conchiform
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Registered: 23-Aug-2003
female usa
And here's the real problem with it, IMO - nine times out of ten, unless you got it straight from a hobbyist, it's the bog plant. Did it have any purple leaves when you got it? Unfortunately, this variety doesn't do very well emersed.

The true dwarf form, however, which you can get from plant people and a handful of online stores (AZgardens from time to time, fishvet, probably aquabotanic) is a *beautiful* foreground/middleground plant, stays small and low, as is Frank said a big demanding but by no means impossible, and utterly worth the purchase.

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile Homepage PM Edit Report 
heaven2
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Mega Fish
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canada
I would like to add that my clown loaches simply adored the lobeia cardinalis I purchased. Within hours it looked like lace plant, and with a day or so it was reduced to a bare stalk. I tried transplanting the stalk to another tank, but it was too late and the plant failed to recover.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile Yahoo PM Edit Report 
Dr. Bonke
 
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male finland
I've always found this plant very easy to handle. The purple color is only maintained in emersed growth, under water it gets a very nice light green color and as it grows relatively slow it can work very well as a middle area plant. I have also tried growing this plant outside the aquarium, just by taking a plantlet from the tank, planting it on soil and then keeping a plastic bag around it for the first two weeks or so. In those conditions they grow into 3 to 4 feet high plants which make lovely red flowers (small ones). Definately one of my favourite plants... I can't remember when I had a tank without them.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Report 
joe fishy
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male usa
Lobelia cardinalis is a perennial which makes a beautiful plant for the garden, and under the right conditions, can also be grown in your tank. I favor it in my yard, as it will grow in bog conditions, and also average garden soil, and when it blooms in July and August, is a primary attractor for hummingbirds. It can be tough to grow in the tank, but if you like it, give it a try! Good growing to you!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Report 
AndyCLS
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male usa
Lobelia cardinalis is one of my favorite aquarium plants!

I started with two small specimens (from Petsmart of all places... believe me I was surprised to find it there), and now I have 6 large plants. I find it grows very easily for me, but my setup is also fairly high-tech - flourite, 4.5 wpg, and pressurized CO2.

Propagation can be achieved by trimming off the "side-shoots" of the mother plant and planting these timmings into the substrate. I've heard of this plant doing very poorly in conditions where it doesn't get enough light, so be mindfull of this. If you start to see a lot of leaves falling off, it's probably a light deficiency.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:44Profile PM Edit Report 
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