Quote:
Originally Posted by plantbrain
Since it's not new, why have not more folks described it and come forth with the idea then?
I mean, if you think about it, why wouldn't you do things this way?
Hummm...........
Growing plants emergent for horticulture is hardly new, but why the insistence on growing and starting a new tank submersed? with all the issues that surround starting a new planted tank?
Why hasn't ADA suggested it as well?
Or someone else? It's a good idea and one that would sell itself.
|
the only problem i have with this way of starting a tank is that not all plants seem to convert over to submerged form from emersed as easily. some plants look absolutely nothing alike when grown emersed vs submerged and the time it takes for the plants to convert, if they will do so at all is significant.
for me, this is mainly a way to fill in the foreground with some of the pickier plants (HC, Utricularia... actually those are the only 2)
just as an example, grow out some downoi emersed and try and get it to convert back to submerged growth. it takes A LOT of time, more than a few weeks. additionally, the emersed form of downoi looks nothing like the submerged form, they have altogether different growth habits which will make the use of the plant even more challenging in the aquascape.
i think its a useful practice, but i only see its value for a few of the plants we use, and for some plants its probably only making more/new challenges.