Pearling

JenniferK

Junior Poster
Aug 1, 2011
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Is daily dramatic pearling of my plants proof that CO2, ferts and light are all as good as I can deliver?

Is pearling my proof that I'm doing everything ok?

Thanks,

Jennifer
 

JJP2

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Jun 19, 2008
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Palm Harbor FL
It is not proof that your plants are or are not at their peak. Some plants will produce oxygen easier than other, it seems (ricca and anarchris vs crypts).

It indicates you have plenty of Oxygen as the water is not absorbing the oxygen the plants are producing and the plants are healthy. It doesn't mean that increasing any one of CO2, ferts, lights would cause more pearling or not.
 

JJP2

Lifetime Charter Member
Lifetime Member
Jun 19, 2008
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Palm Harbor FL
It is not proof that your plants are or are not at their peak. Some plants will produce oxygen easier than other, it seems (ricca and anarchris vs crypts).

It indicates you have plenty of Oxygen as the water is not absorbing the oxygen the plants are producing and the plants are healthy. It doesn't mean that increasing any one of CO2, ferts, lights would cause more pearling or not.
 

Gerryd

Plant Guru Team
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Sep 23, 2007
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South Florida
JenniferK;71414 said:
Is daily dramatic pearling of my plants proof that CO2, ferts and light are all as good as I can deliver?

Is pearling my proof that I'm doing everything ok?

Thanks,

Jennifer

No it is not proof. I would use the growth and health of the plants themselves to guage this.

1. Are new leaves frequent? Are they well formed and sized?
2. Does trimming induce branching?
3. Do rosettes form new leaves?
4. Does new growth melt?
5. Does new growth develop algae?
6. Is the color and form of the new growth consistent with the species?

Hope this helps.
 

nipat

Guru Class Expert
May 23, 2009
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I wish it was that simple. But no, the pearling is not the indicator.
Because from my experience, you can increase the pearling by simply increasing light.
And if CO2 and nutrients are not adequate for that level of light, you will have problem.

Some bubbles also come from plant's injury (melting) also, not a sign of good health.
 

ShadowMac

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Mar 25, 2010
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IME, pearling has been over rated. I chased it as a newb and when I had the highest rates of pearling I was running the highest light and having the most problems. I think pearling can be an expression of how fast the system is going and the degree of oxygen saturation in the water, but not much more.

I see little of the dramatic pearling these days, but see an improvement in healthy growth and a decrease in algae issues. If only I could get my darn staurogyne to grow well.