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i was in my local fish store a few days ago and seen some kind of bulb that you drop into your tank and the plants will start to sprout in 5-7 days anyone got anymore information on this product? Thanks

It could be any of a variety of aponogeton or nymphaea. Both species can be purchased in bulb form.

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"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Yup, I've seen that in a several Wal-Marts. They sell two different plants (Aponogeton and water lilies) in six to nine or so bulb packs. I actually bought the Aponogeton ones, just to see how things went. In my tank, a mere .6 watts per gallon was enough to get two of the bulbs to sprout, and one of them grew into a mature plant. This isn't much to go by though, because my lighting is so low. I bet that given more powerful lighting, most or all of the bulbs would sprout and grow. I've heard good things about these plant bulbs, you should try them if you're interested. They are cheap as well, I think I paid about $2.99 for seven or eight bulbs.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

i got a dozen of these bulbs and 4 months later i got ONE thats sprouted. the others rotted away to empty shells and i eventually tossed them.

sure you can look at it as i got one good plant with little effort but the way i see it is it cost me $6 for this stinkin plant and i STILL have no idea what it is lol. for $6 i should be able to pick the plant i want lol.

Last edited by Sin in Style at 12-Mar-2005 11:53

Aponogetons are interesting because many of the genera go through a dormant phase with significant if not total die back of their foliage. This action is much like terrestial tulips, narcissi and croci.

I have had good luck with the bulbs. In my 3 wpg tanks, a. ulvaceous grew to a height of 22 inches with a foot in width then flowered with the stem rising from the water.

The key to choosing a good bulb is much like choosing a good tulip bulb. If none of the available bulbs shows any green or red growth (nymphaea) choose a bulb that is firm to the touch. Give it a light squeeze to check firmness.

Note that some bulbs may require 3 or more months to root and develop shoots. I moved a nymphaea from one tank to another and it lost all shoots for three months.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

also if you want the plant to grow more bushy and have less dieback. i suggest you dont let the plant flower. bad thing is it can shoot four inch a day when putting a flower up.