xXInkedPhoenixX Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 So I got these plants yesterday as a continuing project to add plants to my tanks. I don't have any of these yet. Once I got them home I placed them in my quarantine tank. I have 2 issues: 1.) In one of my pics you'll see some black stuff on one of the bulbs, is that harmful to the plant or fish or tank in any way? It looks like I might be able to remove it with a toothbrush but if that's something the plant needs I didn't want to act before I knew. 2.) Does one plant these or just leave them free floating/wandering in the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Cory Posted March 24, 2021 Administrators Share Posted March 24, 2021 I haven't known the black stuff to be a problem. The plants look healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jungle Fan Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 As @Corysaid the plants look healthy, and the black stuff isn't a problem. As to should one plant them, that's how they normally occur in nature, it's where they anchor their roots, and part of their nutrients are absorbed from inside the substrate. Adding substrate would also give you the option to add other plants like cryptocoryne, swords, and all kinds of stem plants, plus it gives your tank more surface area to be colonized by beneficial bacteria to aid in removal of waste, it would be a win/win. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirsten Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Yup, a bit of algae and stuff on the bulb is totally normal and natural. The bulbs may float around if they don't have substrate to root themselves in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted March 24, 2021 Author Share Posted March 24, 2021 @Cory @Jungle Fan @Kirsten thanks for your help. I just had them floating around in my quarantine tank until I found out they were safe and decided where to put them. They are now (hopefully happily) planted in substrate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starsman20 Posted March 25, 2021 Share Posted March 25, 2021 These are some of my favorite plants. I just slightly buried them. One is in a coop planter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottEsh Posted March 25, 2021 Share Posted March 25, 2021 Mine are going crazy... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted March 25, 2021 Author Share Posted March 25, 2021 @starsman20 @ScottEsh WOW! They all look amazing! I hope I can get mine to grow like that. I have had a hard time getting my "tall" plants tall so far. I admittedly got these on a whim without having researched them because I love how the leaves sway, turn and curl like both of your pictures. They're planted in plant substrate and will be supplemented with root tabs (I don't fertilize the water, I generally choose "easy" plants, but this could be why my tall plants don't grow tall, they're just healthy) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted April 17, 2021 Author Share Posted April 17, 2021 (edited) @starsman20 or @ScottEsh either of you (or anybody else with experience) know what's going on when your plant sends out a stem like this? I see in both your pics your plants seem to be doing it. Is it going to be a flower or another bulb or does it want to be out of water? Edited April 17, 2021 by xXInkedPhoenixX to clarify 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 @xXInkedPhoenixX I have not kept an aponogeton for a long time but that looks to be a flower! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted April 17, 2021 Author Share Posted April 17, 2021 @Isaac M that's what it looks like to me too and I'd guess that in a normal plant- I keep lots of those- just no experience with this plant. Wondering if it will grow a bulb from the flower if I do anything or if I should cut it back for any reason. Will be googling at some point.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 @xXInkedPhoenixX Yeah, I think someone more experienced in this plant will hopefully be able to help you. I believe some people cut it as they believe the plant will go dormant if it flowers but I am not entirely sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted April 17, 2021 Author Share Posted April 17, 2021 @Isaac M ! That would sure be fast as it hasn't even been in my tank a month! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 @xXInkedPhoenixX I believe it will continue to flower for a long time(few months or longer) but someone with more experience should probably answer this as I do not think I am qualified haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starsman20 Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 Mine does that regularly. Its a wierd looking long flower thingy. Pretty sure that is the scientific name for it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted April 17, 2021 Author Share Posted April 17, 2021 @starsman20 if it's not called that it really should be lol! I'm in the youtube rabbit hole right now doing research. Funny how so many care guides don't really address the flowering portion. I was just wondering because say in basil plants you have to pinch off the blooms in order to encourage growth. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted April 18, 2021 Author Share Posted April 18, 2021 (edited) @Isaac M thanks for letting me know about the live stream. Of all the rabbit holes I went down to try and find out what to do about an aponogeton sending out a bloom stem NOBODY said anything about whether you should cut it back or not to encourage growth. THANK YOU @Cory for addressing it. It hadn't bloomed yet so I cut it back. Is it the same as with cutting back the leaves? Close to the bottom of the stem? Edited April 18, 2021 by xXInkedPhoenixX 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 No problem @xXInkedPhoenixX! I would cut it as close to the bottom as you can to minimize the amount of plant matter decaying in your aquarium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted April 18, 2021 Author Share Posted April 18, 2021 👍ok @Isaac M I reached down there with my long ole scissors and got as close as I could. It's behind driftwood so I couldn't get so far but I'll keep an eye on it for discoloration/rot, the plant itself is super green. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 @xXInkedPhoenixX the plant should be fine, I was just saying that there will be less nitrates in the water from the decaying flower stem but your aquarium and plant will be fine. Its all good 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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