Growing plants emersed

[specks]

I got a couple stems of red watermilfoil for free when I ordered some hygrophila corymbosa stricta, ludwigia repens and sunset hygro. I still have some mineralized top soil left but I also have access to fresh dirt. How do I grow plants emerged?

[specks]

Sorry for the double thread. My crap ipod touch did this. Mods please delete one of the threads.

[chunkychun]

I tried growing my red watermilfoil emersed and they died . However, submersed in excel only and EI tank is doing ok.

I also use tupperware with some left over fluorite and root tabs for some of my extra plants(HC and hairgrass) and works well. I put saran wrap on top and mist once/twice a day and open and vent a little in evenings. I leave it on window sill that gets maybe 2 hrs of direct sun light(too much will bake the plants).

[specks]

I live in the tropics where relative humidity is high. I do not have a spare tank. What are my options and how do I grow plants emersed?

[Diana]

Most plants grow their leaves a bit differently under water and above the water. Sometimes you cannot tell the difference, the difference is internal, but it affects whether the leaf can thrive and do its job (photosynthesis). I would try to set up a transition from water to air so the plant is not exposed just to air. Make the transition in a very humid place.

Here are a few ideas:
Put the plant stem in a pot of soil, but nip off any leaves that would have ended up under the soil.
Put the pot on a tray with some gravel.
Put some water in the gravel. It will evaporate and raise the humidity.
Put some sort of cover above the pot so it does not touch the leaves.
~A large plastic bag propped up with some sticks.
~A large glass jar

I know you said you are in a humid area, but even that might not be enough for a plant that started growing under water. I have several tanks with plants that grow mostly below the water, but eventually the stems are long enough that the plant is growing above the water but still under the lid. It is very humid under there. When I reposition the plant so it can grow out from under the lid I often see some unhappy edges of the leaves that are drying out a bit. And these are leaves that grew above the water, not under the water.

[specks]

So the trick is to keep the place as humid as possible. But how about those that grow emersed naturally as in thw wild?

Also, should I bother with lighting?

[nokturnalkid]

High humidity, espescially when transitioning, is the key. Once the transition is done, you can slowly lower the humidity. The plants need time to adjust to the lower humidity. Some plants, like anubias, do better than others in the lower humidity. I've had ferns and anubias grow out of my hob with no top. Just constant water movement from the hob. I still would mist them every day but I also lived in a humid climate, so that also helped. If you live in a dry climate or have your setup indoors with the ac on, then misting the plants often are needed.

[specks]

Thanks for the info. Is lighting an isuue?

Now, does anyone know if red watermilfoil will grow emersed?

[BIG_Z]

Originally Posted by jessicalennita

The tank needs to be pretty much sealed up to keep the humidity high and direct sunlight would likely give you steamed veggies for dinner.

O.o the only light for all my emerged tanks is direct sunlight.

[@marko@]

Originally Posted by BIG_Z

O.o the only light for all my emerged tanks is direct sunlight.

DIRECT? not shade?
i tried putting my emersed enclosure in direct sunlight and it killed everything except 1 single runner of e. belem in 6 hours.

[specks]

okay so high humidity and indirect light are needed. Does the soil have to be saturated?