southeast asian plants?

I just happen to specialize in plants and animals from Thailand! I am pleased to meet another person who wishes to share my obsession.

I have found the most commonly available plants for a really good Meekong, Meklong and Chao Phraya biotopes are going to be right here in our own Swap & Shop. Especially if you want harder to find Thai plants like Blyxa aubertii, Cyperus helferi, Cryptocoryne albida and C. cordata and its many variants.

More common things you might be able to find at your LFS though probably more seasonally than anything will be Pogostemon helferi (this is almost a requirement for any Thai biotope ), Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae often labelled as just C. balansae, Blyxa japonica, Java Fern which grows around just about every whitewater rapid and waterfall in Thailand but not quite so common in Vietnam. Rotalas of just about every kind range across much of South, East and Southeast Asia, but R. rotundifolia is most certainly available wherever you go and is fortunately the easiest Rotala to grow.

More and more I'm seeing Limnophila aromatica appear in the LFS's, but if you can get it here I strongly recommend it. This isn't as common in the interior of Thailand but much closer to its northern border with Vietnam. Much more diverse Limnophilas occur once you're within the southern borders of Vietnam. Other Pogostemons are also going to be rare outside of Eustrallis which is also becoming more and more regular in the better shops, though still not that common but certainly available via special order. Again, try the S&S here, you won't be disappointed.

I hope that's enough to get you started. I hope to see your journal here very soon.

Option said:

Do you know where can I purchase some Cyperus helferi? I've read about this plant before and it sounds very ideal for my setup.

Also, do you know anything about Crinum thaianum or Spathiphyllum wallisii? These two species also sound ideal for my setup but I don't know much about these two.

Seattle - thanks for those pics, they're great!

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The Cyperus is becoming more and more common, thank goodness. I see it a lot in our Swap & Shop. Occasionally I see it on eBay. Every now and again I see at my own LFS. You just have to keep your eyes peeled and do good searches for it and you'll get it. I'd hurry, though, the season's just about over for shipping plants. Same for the Crinum lily but it definitely makes it to the LFS on a regular basis, so that one isn't too hard to get at all.

Spathyphyllums are easy to get a hold of at any hardware store or nursery. You can probably run into them even in your local grocery store in the floral department. It's from South America but it's nice. S. tasson is what's more commonly offered for aquaria. Just remember, this is not an aquatic and must be grown emergent. There is a gentlemen here by the name of hydrophyte who wrote some articles a while ago advising how to plant these and prep them for use in the aquarium, there is a trick to it about how to layer the substrate to make them happy, but it escapes me right now. If you search for his posts you're sure to run into it.

Option said:

Ukam - thanks for all the advice so far.

I shopped around at local NYC aquariums today and found Cyperus helferi but it was about $12 for a small bundle, is this about the standard price? I also found several Crinum species...but are they all native to south asia?

Last question, do these plants require a flourite substrate to grow on?

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Whew, that price is steep :eek5:! $7.50 at the most and that oughtta be a good specimen in my opinion. By the way, check this out,http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/swap-n-shop/117575-fs-cyperus-helferi.html.

Not all Crinum's are native to Asia, but there are a lot to choose from, and many beautiful hybrids if you are into marginals. The two other common ones are North American and African, americanum and calamistratum respectively. Crinum thaianum is Southeast Asian. There are other Crinum lilies available, but they don't tolerate being submerged and are better as marginals.

When it comes to substrate, as long as it is well fertilized, you can use anything, even what one esteemed member of our community calls "clown puke." The decorative, weird colored stuff you see in the typical pet stores. I recommend getting a good clay substrate, like Floutirte or Eco Complete or whatever floats your boat. ADA Aqua Soil grows plants really, really well but it is expensive but I like it because it comes with a boost of ammonium to get your cycle kick started so you can do a fishless cycle which I always recommend.

A lot of the guys around here have had great luck and save a ton of money going to a hardware store or their local John Deere and buying Turface Pro League. It's just like your Flourite but way cheaper and has all the same benefits. I'm sure one the guys will see this and chime in about it or search for the forums for "Turface." I've not done it yet personally, but I hear lots of good things about it.