So I have been doing a lot of research. I see that HC is commonly grown emersed, but when you submerse it, it "dies back" due to transition. I don't think there is a such thing as die back. I just think if your HC or any other plant starts dieing back it is due to low CO2 and low lighting, not necessarily a whole "transition period". Your water parameters weren't right in the first place. Opinions?
EmeraldGreen
It depends on the species of plant. Some die back others not so much. HC doesn't die back as much, but amazon swords for example lose their emersed leaves a few weeks after being submersed.
If I had to guess why, I'd say that HC's small leaves have a much better surface to volume ratio which lets nutrients pass through submersed emersed leaves. Swords on the other hand have huge leathery leaves and a thick wax cuticle which prevents most nutrients from being absorbed by the leaves. This is why the leaf dies after a few weeks.
If I had to guess why, I'd say that HC's small leaves have a much better surface to volume ratio which lets nutrients pass through submersed emersed leaves. Swords on the other hand have huge leathery leaves and a thick wax cuticle which prevents most nutrients from being absorbed by the leaves. This is why the leaf dies after a few weeks.
It's not about water parameters, it's a biologic process. There is a transition period. The plants actually adapt to the new status. Maybe someone can chime in with an article or website with the details.
Some plants are better at transitioning than others, some you see die back and some you don't.
Some plants are better at transitioning than others, some you see die back and some you don't.
Just a article I found on a quick search
http://spec-tanks.com/transitioning-aquarium-plants-emersed-to-submersed-immersed/
But yes, it is a real process (transition period) when plants go from emersed to submersed. Even physical differences in leaf patterns, colors, etc.
It's not that the new owner doesn't have the proper lighting, co2, ferts, or ther water conditions right, it's a actual change the plants go through. Of course with varying degrees of transitioning based on plant species.
http://spec-tanks.com/transitioning-aquarium-plants-emersed-to-submersed-immersed/
But yes, it is a real process (transition period) when plants go from emersed to submersed. Even physical differences in leaf patterns, colors, etc.
It's not that the new owner doesn't have the proper lighting, co2, ferts, or ther water conditions right, it's a actual change the plants go through. Of course with varying degrees of transitioning based on plant species.
As Zapins said it depends on the plant species. There is also a significant difference between emersed forms. So a plant that is grown on drier soil for a long period is different from one that has just poked above the water surface, the later of course, adapts more easily back to submerged form.
This phenomenon is greatly exaggerated by people who submit plants to great transition stress or by having poor growth parameters to start with.
Most plants retain their emersed leaves for a very long period underwater, (weeks, months) even as they grow new submersed leaves. Melting really isn't the default state that plants enter in as they are submersed.
This phenomenon is greatly exaggerated by people who submit plants to great transition stress or by having poor growth parameters to start with.
Most plants retain their emersed leaves for a very long period underwater, (weeks, months) even as they grow new submersed leaves. Melting really isn't the default state that plants enter in as they are submersed.
H. difformis is a good example of a plant that looks completely different between emersed and submerged, and needs to transition:
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The reason I ask is because I want to grow mosses emersed for people. But I wasn't sure if the total time to grow emersed and then transition to submerged would be faster than growing straight from submerged. As someone who is buying moss, would you not want to buy emerged moss due to the difference in growth or the risk of dieback? I just want to grow moss the fastest way.
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