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My favorite Cryptocorene - Spiralis.

A very tall Crypt with bright green lancelot leaves. Mine are well over 2 foot tall now. Makes a great alternative to swords or as a background in a big enough tank.

Like most Crypts very undemanding. Grows fast by Crypt standards and spreads by runners so it forms into thick lush thickets easily and quickly. Rarely shows any melting tendencies.

bensaf attached this image:

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Bensaf,

How nice, a lettuce and some grass


No seriously, thanks for showing us these plants that are truly hard to find / expensive over here.

How would you utilize the first one, Downoi? It almost seems to be the prettiest when used as a single specimen in the foreground, surrounded by less striking foreground plants (or plain substrate).

The Val. Nana reminds me from its looks a lot of Cyperus Helferi. From your description is seems to have quite a few advantages over it though, like quick growth and easy propagation. Appears to be a better choice then .

The Fern seems attractive as well. How does the base of it look like? From the picture it seems to be the weak point of this plant.

Thanks again,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Now a plant so hard to find in the US that many even doubt it's existance. Needle Leaf Fern.

Is this the same plant as Narrow Leaf Java Fern. Well that's were a lot disagree. Certainly there differnces. This one is much narrower, the leaves are no more then 1/4 " wide and is a much brighter green , almost yellowish.
Some say it's just a young version of Narrow Leaf.

People who grow it here tell me that the Narrow Leaf is a variety of Java Fern while this is a variety of Phillipine Fern. Certainly I've had these for a few months and it continues to be very Narrow and bright.

Every bit as easy as regular Java Fern, seems to grow much more rapidly though.

The size shape makes it a much more attractive versatile plant the regular fern. This is the one Amano is using in almost every single 'scape he does now.

bensaf attached this image:

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

From forground to background.

This is a real favorite. Vallisnera Nana.

Note how thin the leaves are , almost hairgrass thin. This makes a much better and more attractive replacement for most Vals. Apart from being much better looking the thin leaves prevent the light blockage which can be a problem when "regular" Vals get tall. Gives a more pleasing natural texture too.

Just as easy as any other Val. Grows rapidly and spreads lots of runners. Forms a very compact thick stand quickly.

bensaf attached this image:

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.