Swords as houseplants

[Gomer]

I know that Tom posted a little bit on the APD, but I'd like to keep it going.

I have some large adult swords (horizontalis, Lothario, Red Flame) and some plantlets (kleiner bar, lothario) that I'd like to grow emersed as house plants.

Right now they are all growing submersed.

1) Is there a way to rapidly transition them to start emersed growth? I don't care if I loose all the submersed growth as long as new growth comes in reasonably fast.

2) Should we use drained pots or should we have they partially filled or fully filled with water?

3) ...umm...something I missed?

 

[Ian H]

Re: Swords as houseplants

Interesting slant on things there Gomer. We are all familiar with LFS selling houseplants as aquatics, why not the other way.

In reality I don't think swords would work emersed unless you provided a nutrient mist system and possibly support for the leaves. Could be wrong here of course. Over to you Tom.

Ian

 

[Gomer]

Re: Swords as houseplants

Swords often grow emersed or with emergant leaves in nature..but these places are usually 100% humdity tropics LOL.

 

[turbomkt]

Re: Swords as houseplants

Swords often grow emersed or with emergant leaves in nature..but these places are usually 100% humdity tropics LOL.

Tony,
At one point I found one of Tom's mess of links pointing me to some local swords (to me). Specifically, Lake Cuyamaca just east of San Diego near Julian. I don't know if the pictures on the site were of the plants, but if they were then it was a ton of swords growing emmersed (Dry season?). And the "mountains" around San Diego would be anything but tropical.

As for jumping straight to emmersed, the leaves on my plain old amazon's dried to a shirveled mess quite quickly above the water line.

--Mike

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Swords as houseplants

Echinodorus berteroi is native to Santa Barbara co, the Santa Ynez river.
It is CA's only native Sword, there is a Water Plantain, Alisma plantgo-aquatica(alsio a narrow leaf A. lanceolata) and a couple of Sag's.

So those are your likely criminals.

All are fairly nice weeds, they will live in very desert regions, but, the roots need water and need to be wet.

I have many pictures of E berteroi, one of the prettiest leaves you'll ever see submersed. Very tough plant.

Some Anubias also make house plants as do some Crypts, we grew plenty outside in the summer.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Gomer]

Re: Swords as houseplants

Tom,

How do you recommend these swords be potted?

1) fully drained like most house plants using normal potting soil?
2) Not drained where the water is just below the surface?
3) Not drained where the lower 1/3 or so is submerged?
4) potting soil/sand mixture
5) etc etc


Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Gomer]

Re: Swords as houseplants

bumpidy bump bump?

 

[Nillo]

Re: Swords as houseplants

I have a sword in a fishbowl that grew emersed on its own. It has been growing that way for many months now. The older leaves tend to get a little burnt on the edges, but not that badly. I'm certain this is because I live in Southern California and have very little humidity. Although lately we seem to have quite a bit of it. I have noticed that it tends to like having water above the crown. When the water line drops below the substrate it starts wilting fast. I would recommend a deep rich substrate with rock topping for neatness.

 

[Gomer]

Re: Swords as houseplants

With a deep, rich substrate with water reaching the crown level, do we have to worry about the system going anarobic?

 

[Greg Watson]

Re: Swords as houseplants

Tom,

How do you recommend these swords be potted?

bumpidy bump bump?

I'll try to get Tom back here after the March Barr Report gets officially released (coming soon) ...

But just a quick reminder ... this is the Off-Topic Subscribers forum ... this is your forum and you will rarely if ever find Tom here ... http://www.barrreport.com/forums/showthread.php?p=84

 

[Gomer]

Re: Swords as houseplants

Thanks. I'll post future postings out of here that need his attention

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Swords as houseplants

Tom,

How do you recommend these swords be potted?

1) fully drained like most house plants using normal potting soil?
2) Not drained where the water is just below the surface?
3) Not drained where the lower 1/3 or so is submerged?
4) potting soil/sand mixture
5) etc etc


Thanks for any feedback!

About 50% sand to 1/3.
1/3 peat
1/3 Potting soil

Flourite can be subed for the sand.
Seems to do better with 100% flourite and a rich nutrient bath for a few species.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Martin]

Any new developments ... ?

growth without burnt leaftips is the most difficult..

 

[Tom Barr]

Moisture?
They like good sun, good watering, and warm temps.

Regards,
Tom Barr