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Well, I am not one for plants, as a general rule. However, today, I purchased a few uncommon plants, and given the crappy commonplace selection around here, I sprang on them. The entire package consisted of:

x1 LARGE plant of cyperus helferi-Demanding? Light intensive?

x1 clump of elatine orientalis--this was my first face to face encounter with a member of this genus. That being said, I'm not sure how well it does in the average aquarium. Any ideas on how to handle this plant?

x5 microsorum pteropus 'windelov'-many places around the US get them in as a common occurence-I've even heard of petcos selling them. Here, however, though the fish selection is great, I'll be damned before I find an actual aquatic plant at my petco.

x1 clump of christmas moss

x1 "clump" of pellia-the brittle leaves did not hold up well, and now I'm left with many, many shreds of pellia pieces--any idea how to plant them? I was thinking of growing out the rhizoids a bit, then giving it the hairnet treatment.

x1 Rotala macandra “green”



Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 22-Aug-2005 21:16

x1 LARGE plant of cyperus helferi

Great find ! I'd love one of these.The great thing about these is that they are very slow growing. You get that long grassy look without having to worry about them spreading runners everywhere and trying to take over the tank like Vals or Sags. They keep their shape very well, great plant for aquascaping. Just watch for green spot algae or BBA because they are so slow growing.

x1 clump of elatine orientalis--this was my first face to face encounter with a member of this genus. That being said, I'm not sure how well it does in the average aquarium.

Don't know that much about them. From what I understand they are not that difficult to grow but don't travel well. Apparently they can take a while to settle in and then can go nuts and grow quickly.

x5 microsorum pteropus 'windelov'

I've never had much luck keeping ferns looking good. They are far more demanding environment wise then anything else, they could care less about nutrients. The trick is to keep the temp below 27-28o and keep them in a good current. This will keep them fresh looking and avoid that dried black look ferns are e too.

x1 clump of christmas moss

Well you saw the pics of mine. Like the fern keep an eye on environment rather then nutrients. It's a bit more sensitive then regular Java Moss. Again temp above 27-28o will cause them to lose the Christmas tree look and eventually go brown. They are a bit more light hungry too so don't shade them too much. Keep the temp good and a bit of light and you'll get that bright green Christmas tree look. I find it grows much quicker then Java, I have to trim weekly, and it attaches very very fast. It'll be stuck solid to wood in a couple of weeks tops. I've often pulled out stray bits from the bottom and find gravel pulled up with it and firmly stuck to the moss.

x1 "clump" of pellia-the brittle leaves did not hold up well, and now I'm left with many, many shreds of pellia pieces--any idea how to plant them? I was thinking of growing out the rhizoids a bit, then giving it the hairnet treatment. Ben. Help. Now.

I've got some Pellia, but the mini variety. I just tied them to a flat piece of rock. I didn't use the hairnet as I found it quite heavy and it sunk easily, it wasn't going to float anywhere. Then again I had quite big sods of the stuff. I've seen it grown in Singapore using the hairnet/grid method so it should work. I find it incredibly slow growing and very slow to attach. I've got it in a non -co2 tank, it may speed up a bit with Co2. Just as well it's slow growing 'cos it is very brittle. You could PM piscesgirl, she's got tons of the stuff being growing it for years.

x1 Rotala macandra “green”

Nice plant. Not as fussy as the normal red. Usual, light co2 and nutrients should keep it very happy.

---

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.

Cup_of_Lifenoodles

I think Bernard has said it perfectly. Well done, best of luck with your selection.

Keith

Last edited by keithgh at 23-Aug-2005 22:29

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I had a cyperus helferi
It did great for about 9 months, then
one day just started melting away and I
never could figure out why.
Perhaps you will have better luck with it.
They are gorgeous when large.

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