Can I grow emmersed HC in low temps?

[talontsiawd]

I have an extra 20 long and an extra light that would be more than sufficient for growing out some HC. The problem is, the only place I have room for it is in my garage. In the winter, temps get down to low 30's. The garage is always a bit warmer than outside, I don't have a thermometer in there but it's far from warm. Just wondering if that would work. If not, I know many other plants that will work, I just will have a bunch of HC, assuming my tank does well but trimmings are never worth selling as they are way too short when I don't let it grow out much.

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by talontsiawd

I have an extra 20 long and an extra light that would be more than sufficient for growing out some HC. The problem is, the only place I have room for it is in my garage. In the winter, temps get down to low 30's. The garage is always a bit warmer than outside, I don't have a thermometer in there but it's far from warm. Just wondering if that would work. If not, I know many other plants that will work, I just will have a bunch of HC, assuming my tank does well but trimmings are never worth selling as they are way too short when I don't let it grow out much.

I don't think you would be able to keep emersed HC in that cold of a temperature...

You have to remember, these are tropical plants...

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

I don't think you would be able to keep emersed HC in that cold of a temperature...

You have to remember, these are tropical plants...

I was just wondering if anyone has successfully done it. I know I can get dwarf hair grass to grow year round, even totally outside. I actually had some a few years ago that stayed a live under frozen water. It's not low 30's all winter either, it may be 30 for a week then 50 another. That's the lows too, it's usually about 20-30 degree's warmer during the day, almost all day.

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Originally Posted by talontsiawd

I have an extra 20 long and an extra light that would be more than sufficient for growing out some HC. The problem is, the only place I have room for it is in my garage. In the winter, temps get down to low 30's. The garage is always a bit warmer than outside, I don't have a thermometer in there but it's far from warm. Just wondering if that would work. If not, I know many other plants that will work, I just will have a bunch of HC, assuming my tank does well but trimmings are never worth selling as they are way too short when I don't let it grow out much.

Hi talontsiawd,

H.C. originates from Cuba which doesn't really get below 58 degrees F. That said I grow H.C. and several other species year 'round in my garage which can get down to 40 degrees or less. I use heat mats under my 'humidomes/peptents' that help to keep them warm in the winter and provide heat from below.

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by Seattle_Aquarist

Hi talontsiawd,

H.C. originates from Cuba which doesn't really get below 58 degrees F. That said I grow H.C. and several other species year 'round in my garage which can get down to 40 degrees or less. I use heat mats under my 'humidomes/peptents' that help to keep them warm in the winter and provide heat from below.

I do have some heat mats, I just don't know how effective they will be as my stand is metal so it doesn't have more than the outside frame. In my experience indoors, assuming I am using a tank, keeping it under the tank doesn't do a whole lot. I could just use the tank/stand and put the HC into other containers though.

I image your weather is likely very similar to mine. I don't get the warmer winters like SF but I am in that area.

I just was mostly wondering if it was even worth trying. I have the tank setup, with water that was holding some plants and now is just going. I don't want to deal with it underwater so that's why I thought it was worth a try. I will likely just go for it, I am not buying plants just using clippings so if it doesn't work, I am only out the electricity to run the lights and a marginal amount of time.

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi talontsiawd,

If it were me a I put a sheet of plywood or styrofoam (or both) on the metal stand, then the heat mat, then the tank. That way most of the heat will go up into the tank. Those 20 watt heat mats put out a lot of heat.

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by Seattle_Aquarist

Hi talontsiawd,

If it were me a I put a sheet of plywood or styrofoam (or both) on the metal stand, then the heat mat, then the tank. That way most of the heat will go up into the tank. Those 20 watt heat mats put out a lot of heat.

That is a great idea. Never would have thought about that.