Propogation 10!

[James From Cali]

~~~~~My plant propogation tank~~~~~

Tank Size: 10 gallon
Light: 15 watt strip bulb
Substrate: N/A
CO2: N/A
Ferts: N/A
Fauna: N/A
Flora: Aponogeton bulbs, Lotus bulb, Unknown Plant


Tank with flash

Tank without flash

Unknown Plant

-James From Cali

EDIT: The unknow plant is in emersed form but I have seen it submersed at a local creek.

[James From Cali]

I have been curious about the propogation of the Aponogeton. I know they come from seeds but I also know that if you let them flower they dont live as long. Would I be able to cut the flower stalk off and then propogate it that way or would that not work. I know when you rub the two flowers together that they seed and fertilize so just a thought.

[Bk828]

with those bulbs its easy to propagate. Once the plant grows fully and gets a nice root structure (this is where gravel would be nice) you can break off the bulb and in a week or so the bulb will start growing a new plant.
Waiting for the flower and then pollinating it + letting the flowers dry into seeds and then grow will take forever..

[James From Cali]

With the plant bulbs though, how do I break the bulbs?

[Bk828]

Once the plant is all grown and mature the roots will be healthy enough to support the plant and the bulb will grow slightly away from the plant.. even if its 1/4" you can simply just pull it off. I have done this to Tiger lotus but havent tried doing it to aponogeton since i gave it to someone else before I found out the propagation lol.. I bought of 6 of those bulbs 2 were duds (onion plant is the worst).. 2 were lilies and 2 were aponogeton. The aponogeton bloomed for me like crazy, ive had 4-5 blooms all at ones and more coming.

Throw some substrate in the tank, even if its sand (cheap) or regular gravel you might have laying around. It will collect all the goodies and provide good nutrients for the plants.

[James From Cali]

I plan on getting some black sand for this tank but for now I need to get the money for it. I didnt know that I will have to try that propogation method.

[Bk828]

I tell you this. with aponogeton its better and easier to buy a new bulb than to have something grow out of the seeds..

[lauraleellbp]

Originally Posted by James From Cali

I plan on getting some black sand for this tank but for now I need to get the money for it. I didnt know that I will have to try that propogation method.

Have you looked into Colorquartz James? $23 got me 50lb at a local pool supply company, and I really like the look...

[James From Cali]

Laura Lee, I will have to check that. It would be great for my budget cause I would have some leftovers.

A little update. I split up the unknown plant and the smaller stems are all dieing off so lets see what happens. The largest stem seems to be fine.

[mistergreen]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

Have you looked into Colorquartz James? $23 got me 50lb at a local pool supply company, and I really like the look...

interesting, it's a 3M product and is coated with ceramics... I wonder if it's as good as the inert SMS or schultz aquasoil.

[James From Cali]

I should be getting more plants for this tank soon. I may have substrate by next week aswell but IDK. I do know that I will keep flame moss on rock for a while.

[James From Cali]

From Kitchen

From Living Room

What does everyone think of this hardscape for the tank. I may try something different but if nothing else works what do you think?

[FrostyNYC]

James,
Can you explain the purpose of this tank? If it's a propogation tank, I would assume that hardscape would be nil, and you would focus on proper lighting, CO2, and fertilization. Is this tank designed to be a grow-out tank for new plants you want to try, before you add them to your "show tanks" ?

Regarding your substrate: will you have a finer substrate on the sides, with that pebble/large gravel river in the middle?

[mistergreen]

actually, I was thinking the same thing as Frosty.
How are the plants to feed with no nutrients & no Carbon?

[James From Cali]

Originally Posted by FrostyNYC

James,
Can you explain the purpose of this tank? If it's a propogation tank, I would assume that hardscape would be nil, and you would focus on proper lighting, CO2, and fertilization. Is this tank designed to be a grow-out tank for new plants you want to try, before you add them to your "show tanks" ?

Regarding your substrate: will you have a finer substrate on the sides, with that pebble/large gravel river in the middle?

The purpose of the tank is for me to have a supply of plants(lower light plants and from my other tanks) that I can use for nutrient sponges in new tanks, sell to local and other hobyist that need lower light plants already in the conditions. Although its stil a propogation tank I want it to look presentable as it is dividing my living room and my kitchen so I would like for it to look presentable.

The Plants will be adjusted to low light and low tech conditions in this tank(same as my others). There will be CO2 set up on the tank but for now none. As for ferts it will be up on the fish. The propogation will be of plants that are from my other tank and basic nutrient sponges. Simple plants mainly. The sides are going to be sand or something finer than regular gravel.