nate_mcnasty
Member
do they have to go in a sand bed? cuz i don't want a sand bed
How to grow mangrove Q&A
- Thread starter framerguy
- Start date
framerguy
Well-Known Member
Not in an actual sandbed in the tank, but then need to be at least potted (someone correct that if I have read it wrong). You could simply grow them in a pot or bucket in their own little sandbed inside the aquarium.
nate_mcnasty
Member
i ment in my sump i don't want any sand in my sump
framerguy
Well-Known Member
Same deal, just pot them in a reefsafe pot and put them in the sump.
johnmaloney
Well-Known Member
i float them, so I know when to trim the roots a little. At 3 feet or so, you won't want them to get any bigger, (they can reach up to 25 feet tall no problem - so stunting is something you will eventually have to do). You should also trim the leaves as previously mentioned. You should start pruning the roots as soon as they overgrow their designated area. A little bit at a time....
johnmaloney
Well-Known Member
they don't need a sandbed at all. They do grow quicker that way, but there are cons to it, and it is not necessary at all.
framerguy
Well-Known Member
Excellent! Thanks John. One question about the ones growing in the sand... when the stalk starts growing do I need to move it out of the sand and float it so it is above the waterline?
johnmaloney
Well-Known Member
yes you should. although i still recommend that you grow them floating style like coral dynamics has done. that is still the best way to grow them.
framerguy
Well-Known Member
It has been a while since I updated this thread. I will show you my growth progress and what I have done with them. This photo is from a couple of days ago...
Varga pointed out that new root growth should be white and my roots are red. He suggested I plant them in the sand and stated that the leaves don't mind being underwater. I have several plants so I am going to do an experiment. I left half of them floating, and planted the rest in the sand bed...
The lighting I am using are older 10K PC bulbs and curly fluorescent bulbs. I mist the leaves everyday. I haven't clipped any leaves as of yet.
Varga pointed out that new root growth should be white and my roots are red. He suggested I plant them in the sand and stated that the leaves don't mind being underwater. I have several plants so I am going to do an experiment. I left half of them floating, and planted the rest in the sand bed...
The lighting I am using are older 10K PC bulbs and curly fluorescent bulbs. I mist the leaves everyday. I haven't clipped any leaves as of yet.
Opsanus tau
Member
They don't need substrate.they are Fresh water plants that can TOLERATE!!!!! salt yet because of their comparatively slow growth are simply out competed for light , thats why you don't see them up and down the banks of every freshwater stream, river, and lake that doesn't drop below freezing.
The new growth that forms a "tip" that can should be clipped after at least two-three sets of leaves have emerged and opened (not including the two new leaves that are still "fused" together to form that "tip").
This will cause a split (2 out of 3 times, depending on your accuracy).
Mangrove propagules fall from the adult tree, and land in the water, and float around with just the tip sticking out of the water,(1/4"-1"(max))..and float until they touch something, sand, rock ,mud ,some are just capture by adult plants prop roots, and will start growing, sometimes for years before they can get a hold fast.
Someone early in the thread made a reference to "prop roots" incorrectly,
The roots common out of the bottom of the plant are simply roots, the ariel prop roots won't start emerging until it is at least a couple of years old and has in fact a nice thick "Bark" not green ,..but a gray/brown bark just like the trees around you in North America proper.
This is a wild prop floating past my dock (back yard)..this is the most submerged it gets,(note the Doctor fish in the background)
The second photo is of a prop floatting next to my dog's but,..and a wild one (to the right) witch I "split" three years ago with (Julian's clipping method I described above)-Dave
By the way Julian Sprung puplished the best + simple mangrove care book back in the 90's it's a small paper back affair, yet well worth tracking down!
The new growth that forms a "tip" that can should be clipped after at least two-three sets of leaves have emerged and opened (not including the two new leaves that are still "fused" together to form that "tip").
This will cause a split (2 out of 3 times, depending on your accuracy).
Mangrove propagules fall from the adult tree, and land in the water, and float around with just the tip sticking out of the water,(1/4"-1"(max))..and float until they touch something, sand, rock ,mud ,some are just capture by adult plants prop roots, and will start growing, sometimes for years before they can get a hold fast.
Someone early in the thread made a reference to "prop roots" incorrectly,
The roots common out of the bottom of the plant are simply roots, the ariel prop roots won't start emerging until it is at least a couple of years old and has in fact a nice thick "Bark" not green ,..but a gray/brown bark just like the trees around you in North America proper.
This is a wild prop floating past my dock (back yard)..this is the most submerged it gets,(note the Doctor fish in the background)
The second photo is of a prop floatting next to my dog's but,..and a wild one (to the right) witch I "split" three years ago with (Julian's clipping method I described above)-Dave
By the way Julian Sprung puplished the best + simple mangrove care book back in the 90's it's a small paper back affair, yet well worth tracking down!
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Varga
Well-Known Member
I'm not 100% the leaves are OK under water, mine were under for months and they did great. I am pretty sure the roots must be buried. I did the same experiment and the ones I didn't bury at first are still not doing as good as the ones that where buried. also any pic I find in nature the roots are buried. good luck 
we need a "pulling your hair out" smiley!Opsanus tau
Member
That is an extreem high tide, and the leaves are exposed at low tide, pictures are snapshots of reality and only tell a slit second of reality.
Only an idiot would set up a echosystem based on snapshots!
Only an idiot would set up a echosystem based on snapshots!
Ok gang. Remember you're in someone else's "thread" here and we do need to be mindful and courteous to each other. We're like a great big family here so let's Be HAPPY
If we have "issues" let's take them into Private or other venues.
It's a GREAT place to be and Greg is doing an AMAZING job here!
Greg we're all waiting on that VIDEO buddy!!!
If we have "issues" let's take them into Private or other venues.
It's a GREAT place to be and Greg is doing an AMAZING job here!
Greg we're all waiting on that VIDEO buddy!!!
framerguy
Well-Known Member
Gentlemen, I am sure this has been proven a dozen times, but I am going to attempt to do it one more time. I have 34 propagules. As of now I have 17 planted and 17 floating. Of the ones floating, I have chosen three to trim their roots. I have not clipped any leaves yet but will do so soon. I will try to keep a running document of their progression for all to see and draw their own conclusions.
This is my thread and I appreciate everyone who visits and contributes. Please refrain from using derogatory name calling, even if it was to a hypothetical person.
This is my thread and I appreciate everyone who visits and contributes. Please refrain from using derogatory name calling, even if it was to a hypothetical person.
