Barclaya somethingorothera

[wonder woman]

I've seen some very pretty ruby red plants in a couple of my plant books called Barclaya longifolia or something like that. It basically looks like a ruby red crypt. Does anyone have one of these? How much light do they need? Is 240 watts (10,000k and 9325k cfs) in a 100g tank 24" deep not enough? I'm trying to get more red into my tank with the light I have.
Thanks!

[Momotaro]

I have one now, and have kept them in the past. They are very nice plants. Very red when small, but for me, they lose that ruby color as they get bigger. The one I own now is in my 15G, but struggling a bit.

They should do fine in your set up, I have managed to grow them pretty well in low light with flourish Excel. I have even had them flower under those conditions.

They can get big, really big. Provide them with a lot of room, and give one a try!

Mike

[lowcoaster]

I find them to be very long lived and relatively hardy for a red plant. Your set-up should be great for it.

[wonder woman]

I know what they look like in "ideal" conditions (i.e., in a plant book), but do either of you have pics of yours in particular?
Thanks!

[Momotaro]

Mine is on the smallish side right now, WW. It is just starting to rebound from a low light situation (too many floating plants). I will get a shot for you when it looks a little better.

The plant looks great when grown under the right conditions. Crypt-like, with long purple-punky leaves.

Mike

[wonder woman]

Hmmm...purple and punky...two words one wouldn't think go hand in hand with planted aquariums. But it sounds like the bit of color I'm looking for. i have quite a few crypts already, so it should look at home.
Thanks!
-Christina

[Momotaro]

Purple-PINKEY! Yikes! I am a dope!

Take the plant home. It likes you, and it needs a good home!

Mike

[wonder woman]

Well, i need to find one first. I'll keep my eyes open. I don't really want to go to the trouble of ordering just the one bulb, and hope it grows to look like the ones in the books.
But I had to laugh...I kind of like purple and PUNKY better. Reminds me of the 80's, maybe I've got it on my mind because I've gone to 4 80's new-wave shows in the last month: Berlin, Bow Wow Wow, English Beat, and X. Ah, nostalgia!

[Momotaro]

I've gone to 4 80's new-wave shows in the last month: Berlin, Bow Wow Wow, English Beat, and X. Ah, nostalgia!

Are you an ex-new waver Christina?

Mike

[wonder woman]

Yeah, I guess you could say that. I just miss the good old days before the mindless drivel of "divas" like Britney, Christina, Jessica, Ashley, and before the "where my b------" and "my n----" trash that rap is today.
And 80's music was a lot more fun to dance to...

[Momotaro]

divas

The only woman who should ever be considered divas are Maria Callas, Cecilia Bartoli and the like.

Mike

[wonder woman]

Amen to that!
The only real "diva" thing about the rest of them is their attitude!

[Ibn]

Reviving an older post for others who haven't seen this plant. Here's what a close up of a leaf looks like:

[shalu]

Originally Posted by Momotaro

They can get big, really big. Provide them with a lot of room, and give one a try!

Mike

Now you tell me! I just got a small plant last week, did not expect it to get too big. How am I supposed to make more for them when there are 70 other species in the tank. hm...

[Opiesilver]

All I will say that if you have one keep it and reproduce it if you can. About four years ago the country that they are native too cut off all exports of that plant. They are pretty hard to get now even though some are being tissue culture propagated in Asia.