Bucephalandras??

[rainbuilder]

I've seen a lot about bucephalandras lately, and I like the look of them. Can someone explain to me about what they are, where they come from, etc.?

[ThatGuyWithTheFish]

And why they're so rare, expensive, and sought after!

[@marko@]

they are aroids from borneo. for reference, anubias and cryptocoryne are also ariods.
i just got my first bruce a week ago, and from what ive been told, it can be grown and treated like an anubias sp.
mine is in an emersed setup and yet to show any signs of growth, but it has not been dying back either (not surprising, really, i figured its a slow grower).

rare is because its new to the hobby and very slow growing. it will take time for them to be grown enough to be common.
they are sought after because people like them. why do they like them is for a psychoanalyst to say.
expensive is because they are sought after and rare. sought after = high demand. rare = low supply. high demand + low supply = high price. basic econ.

[jcgd]

Rare because apparently they are illegal to export from their native country. They've been snuck out and being cultivated. I guess you can't get photo sanitary certificates for them. So we have to rely on countries that have been able to find the farm them. Just give it about a year and the prices will come down.

[saddletramp]

Bucephalandra are everywhere in the country of origin. It seems that there are only a few species and many "ecotypes, shall we call them. Many are very similar looking. They run the gamut from rather rounded leaves all the way to narrow leaves with lots of rippling along the edges. Some are rather tiny. Others are larger.
Right now they are scarce and costly. There are now sources in the country of origin selling plants for $10 US or less, however, you must get them here. If there are ever several large importations, the price should drop considerably.
The best advice is to have a little patience, as the price has cropped dramatically in just a couple of years. It might just continue that trend over the next couple of years.
But, if like many with the "must have now syndrome" go right out and spend about $40 to $50 a piece and try a couple out. They are very interesting and are nice for growing on driftwood, rocks and the like.
Bill

[sewingalot]

Guys! Please don't share how to illegally ship plants into the United States and don't share if you are doing so. The offending posts have been removed. The discussion of how to perform any illegal act need to stay off the forum. There is a reason NOT to do this. It can unwittingly allow unintended yet highly destructive life into our environment. For example: This insect was accidentally introduced into one town in Pennsylvania and has quickly spread throughout the Northeast destroying crops to the point they aren't suitable sell on the market.

Any further talk on how to ship illegally will result in infractions and the closing of otherwise a good thread. Further, if we find out you are selling illegal imports, your privileges on the S&S will be removed and possibly your ability to access this site. NO exceptions!

[gordonrichards]

Many people are selling plants sourced only in Borneo.
Individuals should seek the Lacey Act Declaration which is listed below.


The Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq., the Act) as amended makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any plant, with some limited exceptions, taken or traded in violation of the laws of the United States, a U.S. State or a foreign country.

Protected species are protected.

[tobystanton]

Wait so if the plant was taken from Borneo then grown in Europe or the USA and it propagates, its offspring would be legal to sell ?

Also the photo sanitary certificate only costs 40-50$ extra, its very easy to get.

[rainbuilder]

My intention for this thread was not for people to tell me how to illegally remove plants. Lets just drop that.

How hard are buces to grow in aquariums? How to propogate them?

[tobystanton]

Originally Posted by rainbuilder

My intention for this thread was not for people to tell me how to illegally remove plants. Lets just drop that.

How hard are buces to grow in aquariums? How to propogate them?

From what I have seen, growing them immersed helps there root system grow, but submerged growth makes them start new runners. In Indonesia grow them submerged until new runners form then place them outside in shallow water for fast growth.

[gordonrichards]

Just because an individual propagates the smuggled plants doesn't and wouldn't make them legal to obtain.

(Interstate trade) is state to state sale of goods. That means a buyer as well as a seller is breaking the law at the exchange of money. Its the law.

What is available currently on the market are not all from personal collections.

Once farms overseas in the country are growing the stock legally they will become available on the market. Buceph have only become famous within the past 3-4 years in the aquarium trade.

[tobystanton]

They are allready farming them, I have contacted 2 farmers in Indonesia and they have showed me pictures of there tanks and I have talked on the phone with one who described his operation.