Isaac M Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 (edited) Hello everyone, I am from California and am 24 years old. I have been keeping aquariums for about 10 years now. I currently have 5 aquariums, a 5 gallon, 10 gallon, 29 gallon, 40 breeder and a 55 gallon. They are all freshwater planted aquariums. I have had my 40 gallon breeder set up for about 2 years or so. Just a few days ago I noticed what I thought was a new leaf from one of my crypts. After closer inspection, it appears to be a flower. I never knew crypts could flower while submersed. Does anyone have any experience with this? I think it would be interesting to attempt to get seeds from it if anyone knows how. Edited May 5, 2021 by Isaac M 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 @Isaac M hi! I'm sorry I don't have an answer there but it looks like you have a super happy plant! Good pic too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkG Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 I don't know either. Most often I think flowers have to be above water to function. (You may have a deficiency going on, perhaps iron?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 I'm interested to know what it'll look like opened up!! How cool!!! Beautiful plants! 😆👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JettsPapa Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Hello, I've never seen a crypt flower. Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 Cryptocoryne are the best. This site has all thing Cryptocoryne. Cryptocoryne flowers (being in the Arum family) have the characteristic spathe and spadix arrangement. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted March 31, 2021 Author Share Posted March 31, 2021 23 hours ago, xXInkedPhoenixX said: @Isaac M hi! I'm sorry I don't have an answer there but it looks like you have a super happy plant! Good pic too Hi! No problem, I am just glad to share. It is my first time on a fish forum and am just happy sharing my aquarium with others. Thank you for your reply about your oto fry as well, I cannot wait to see how they mature. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted March 31, 2021 Author Share Posted March 31, 2021 20 hours ago, darkG said: I don't know either. Most often I think flowers have to be above water to function. (You may have a deficiency going on, perhaps iron?) Yeah, I have had anubias flower on multiple occasions throughout the years but nothing ever happens. I imagine it would need to be emersed with other flowering anubias around for it to work. The crypt flower appears to be growing about an inch a day towards the surface. I will post an update picture tomorrow. As far as an iron deficiency goes, I do not think my plants are deficient, all the new leaves look healthy and I supplemented the substrate with iron when I set up the aquarium as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted March 31, 2021 Share Posted March 31, 2021 @Isaac M I will keep that Oto thread open and updated, in case it helps others (it's helping me anyway, ha) and of course for entertainment purposes. @Daniel yay! Something new to get obsessed over! Thanks for the link. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted March 31, 2021 Author Share Posted March 31, 2021 17 hours ago, Betsy said: I'm interested to know what it'll look like opened up!! How cool!!! Beautiful plants! 😆👍 Thank you! I appreciate it! I will be sure to post updates here with progress pictures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted March 31, 2021 Author Share Posted March 31, 2021 15 hours ago, JettsPapa said: Hello, I've never seen a crypt flower. Congratulations. Hello, thank you. Me either, I was very surprised to see it. I will keep updating this every other day or so to keep track of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkG Posted March 31, 2021 Share Posted March 31, 2021 3 minutes ago, Isaac M said: Yeah, I have had anubias flower on multiple occasions throughout the years but nothing ever happens. I imagine it would need to be emersed with other flowering anubias around for it to work. The crypt flower appears to be growing about an inch a day towards the surface. I will post an update picture tomorrow. As far as an iron deficiency goes, I do not think my plants are deficient, all the new leaves look healthy and I supplemented the substrate with iron when I set up the aquarium as well. Yeah, Anubias I know need other individuals to cross pollinate, and I think some messing around with the fruits and seeds to make it all work. I know nothing about Cryptocoryne flowers. Good to hear that nutrients are not an issue 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted March 31, 2021 Author Share Posted March 31, 2021 13 hours ago, Daniel said: Cryptocoryne are the best. This site has all thing Cryptocoryne. Cryptocoryne flowers (being in the Arum family) have the characteristic spathe and spadix arrangement. Wow thank you Daniel! I appreciate it! That link was very helpful. The species of crypt that is flowering in my aquarium is Cryptocoryne Purpurea. After reviewing some pictures in that link, I believe it is the Cryptocoryne Purpurea nothovar. purpurea variety. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted March 31, 2021 Author Share Posted March 31, 2021 Here is a picture of the aquarium just in case anyone is interested in what the entire aquarium looks like. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 1, 2021 Author Share Posted April 1, 2021 A quick update, the tube of the flower has grown about 2” or so since the first post 2 days ago. As far as I can see, there appears to be 2 flowers. I also attached a picture of the bottom of the tubes or the “kettle”. After spending some time learning on the site @Daniel kindly made me aware of, I read that the “limb” of the “spathe” or the flower in simpler terms may emit a “dirty smell”. That will be an interesting experience to say the least. Also, the aquarium temperature is currently 69 degrees Fahrenheit as my aquarium is unheated. This particular species appears to be well suited for those with colder water aquariums. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 6, 2021 Author Share Posted April 6, 2021 Hello everyone, this weekend I added my diy riparium planters to the aquarium along with some indoor houseplants I bought. The plants I added are Areca Palm and Golden Pothos. The crypt flower is still getting taller every day and is now 3-4” from the surface. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 Looks amazing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 6, 2021 Author Share Posted April 6, 2021 Thanks @xXInkedPhoenixX I appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 Hello everyone, I am currently doing some aquarium maintenance and I moved some of the crypts that spread along the front of the aquarium to the corner. While I was filling up my aquarium, I noticed that I had another crypt flowering. So now I have 3 flowers over 2 plants. Nature is amazing! Next update will hopefully be of the crypt flower emerging from the water and opening up. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 (edited) Absolutely gorgeous, @Isaac M! You may have to raise your lights to match your incredible growth! Edited April 11, 2021 by Streetwise 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 Thanks @Streetwise, this aquarium is dirted as well, just wanted to mention that as I know you enjoy using soil in your tanks. I also included some clay in the soil. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 I certainly do, and I don’t have to tell you why! I also like the light and shadow effects you have with the plants and the substrate. I can’t wait to see future updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 @Streetwise The shadow is being casted by the 2 floodlights I have on the aquarium. I always liked the look of kessils but did not want to pay that much for lighting. Especially since plants do not need as much lighting as we tend to think they do. I just bought 2 outdoor floodlights from amazon that cost $40 for both and installed them with a little diy pvc light stand. It ended up working great! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 It is such a pretty tank, I play where's waldo with all your shrimp in the pictures. 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac M Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 @xXInkedPhoenixX did you see the shrimp that was on the tweezers I used to push back the crypt leaves on the last photo? 😂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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