FishyThoughts Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 So recently for the first time my Madagascar lace sent up the spike to flower. It was grew quickly and I arranged the covers to allow for it to stick out of the water like it needs to be. But the spike has started wilting below the flower pod. Has anyone had their plant flower? And does it require anything special to get it to flower properly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Fish Den Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I don't know the answer to your question, but you must have made the plant happy! I've grown several lace plants and have not gotten any to flower yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishyThoughts Posted January 7, 2021 Author Share Posted January 7, 2021 Lol, I made it happy to just make it unhappy again... the stem just wilted and was dying without flowering. Maybe I’ll have better luck next time. Unfortunately I can’t give any tips for how to get it to flower. This was first time, and was just luck that it did. But if you’re curious, water parameters are usually stable at ph 7.8, ammonia/nitrite/nitrates at 0 (nitrates would build to 20-40 range in smaller tank), GH ~12, kh~8, temp was 72 but recently changed to 75 for fish. I recently moved the lace from the 20g cube to a 75g, maybe a month before it flowered, and didn’t plant the bulb as deep. I did read an article that mentioned the bulb should be pretty much completely uncovered. Maybe that’s something to look at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeperscreepersmyth Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I read they wont grow over 72, can you confirm this? I run around 77-78 and would love to have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishyThoughts Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 1 minute ago, Jeeperscreepersmyth said: I read they wont grow over 72, can you confirm this? I run around 77-78 and would love to have one. I would have to say that’s not true, though I don’t know the extent that they can grow at. Mine has grown fine at 72 and it seems to be growing even better at the current 75. And most sites don’t seem to agree on temperature ranges anyway. I just looked at two sites to see recommended ranges, one stated 59-75, the second stated 72-82. There is 4 different varieties of Madagascar laces plants that are common in the aquarium trade (fenestralis, madagascariensis, henkelianus, guillotii), this could likely be the reason for the variation in information. I do not know the differences between them all, but from some general information I’ve read the size of the leaves and lace patterns are different between them. I would not be able to identify them, and there’s a good chance they’re only named as Madagascar lace at a LFS, and not to the specific varieties. I’ve read that they’re supposed to have resting periods where the plant is in cooler water for a few months. I’m not sure about how important that is either, or how true. I don’t intend on cycling the temps on my tank, nor a second to compare, so I won’t be able to test the testing period aspect either. As for you getting one, all I can say is that you can give it a try. Just know that like any plant, there’s a chance it could die. I can say mine grows around 24-26 inch leaves and canopies over about half of my 75g tank I moved it to. So expect to need some room for it, if you get one. Well, guess that’s the long way of saying I have no clue! 😁 Sorry it’s not more helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeperscreepersmyth Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 That was actually very helpful, it proved the info I found false and gave me hope. Now to find one locally before spring when I can have it shipped. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishyThoughts Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 Here’s a picture of my Madagascar lace, it’s a standard 75g for reference. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishyThoughts Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 I guess cutting the flower shoot off at the base when the pod wilts is the right thing to do. Mine sent another shoot up and across the tank. Hopefully this one flowers will flower for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koi Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 (edited) I would say how you plant the bulb isn't too important. I've completely buried the bulb of a lace plant and buried only the roots and didn't see too much of a difference. I could only guess as to why the spike didn't flower but typically plants will need considerably more nutrients to produce that flower. Specifically I use extra phosphorus to help promote flowering (I can't really prove if thats true or not)but you could get the same results by either adding root tabs or just more of an all in one fertilizer depending what you have available. Lace plants use up a lot of potassium as well so generally more ferts the better. Edited January 23, 2021 by Koi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishyThoughts Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 Well, was successful this time. The flower pod opened days ago now. But it’s still growing and is bigger than I was expecting it to be. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koi Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Dang it made it al the way to that corner?? Nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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