2 more Aponogeton spp to ID

[Slaigar]

Rhizomes are the thick, cylindrical structures that send out roots from them. Easily seen on mature specimens of Anubias, Cryptocoryne, Echinodorus, and Java ferns. If the plants are wild collected, the rhizomes can be absent because of the plants being ripped straight from the ground leaving the root system behind.

The stiff plastic leaves of A. capuroni have been known to crack when shipping specimens. Hope what I said before did not scare you, hehe. There should be no problem of them cracking in the aquarium .

[RonWill]

Mark, I did some shopping today (again ) and got the farm chaps to heat-seal pack 3 Apo bulbs to be later delivered to Lee Harper in the USA. There's 2x Aponogeton capuroni and 1x A. madagascariensis which I believe should survive the trip.

Lee was very kind to send me some eggs of Aphyolebias (Pterolebias) peruensis aka "Peruvian Longfin", and the thing with gifts is that it always leave me wanting to return the friendly gesture.

Goodwill should be reciprocated, not taken advantaged of, and it's definitely more fun and rewarding when things work out both ways.

Mr Harper is another geezer* whom I hope will find the time to join us in the forum as well. [*in the most complimentary sense] Wright should know what I'm trying to convey... I call him a geezer too :wink:

[Slaigar]

Shopping again Ron? I think you may have a problem!

The Aponogetons should easily survive the trip. As long as there is no rot in the tuber, you should be fine. You can easily check by squeezing the tuber/bulb and seeing if it is healthy. Then there is also the obvious smell of rot that will be present if the tuber is soft and mushy. I would check this if I suspect the tubers have been buried while at the LFS.

Ron, you have reignited my passion for Aponogetons. I purchased some African species off Aquabid and cannot wait until they arrive! A. boivinianus is one I was looking for a long time and finally found it for a fair price. I will post pictures when they arrive.

[RonWill]

Shopping again Ron? I think you may have a problem!

Yea Mark, blame that on my friends! Since the new plants are for someone else, this shopping trip doesn't count! [Perhaps I should have said I bought some Apistogrammas!]

The bulbs are very firm to a gentle squeeze without unpleasant odor, so these should be fine.

BTW, I can't be held responsible for any rekindled passion (including old flames, ya?) but shall wait for the pics.

[Green Baron]

Update on the unidentified Aponogaton :
=> I transplated them to the 3ft tank. They are really long !



=>Seeds : I thought these are seed pods but they turn out to be individual seeds !


=> I came back from an oversea trip only to find the seeds missing ! After seaching through the tank, I found plantlets growing everywhere- on driftwoods, gravels and some even floating on the water surface !

[hobbit6003]

Gan,

Yeah, they can grow very long. I just remove one leave stalk, and it measured almost 3.5ft, from base of the stalk to leave tip!

Well, I just saw what seems to be a flower stalk growing out, so hopefully I can see some seeds developing...

Cheers,

Kenny

[Green Baron]

Gan,
Yeah, they can grow very long. I just remove one leave stalk, and it measured almost 3.5ft, from base of the stalk to leave tip!

3.5ft That is very long ! For me, the plant started to flower and grow very long after I inserted a few fertiliser sticks. I have transplanted them to a bigger tank and I decided not to use fertililiser sticks so that they will remain <2ft long.

Well, I just saw what seems to be a flower stalk growing out, so hopefully I can see some seeds developing...

Good luck ! You need to manually pollinate them if you want seeds. Just brush the flower stocks against each other will do the trick.

[hobbit6003]

Thanks Gan for the pointer!

Haha, they got root-monstered by me too, guess that's why they appear such!

Cheers,

Kenny

[hobbit6003]

Gan,

THe 'flower stalk' that I mentioned, do not seem to appear like a typical one associated with aponogetons.

In fact, what I saw at the end of the stalk, is that another couple of small leaves growing out at the tip, much like a little vegetative plantlet of the mother plant.

Does any of yours have the same presentation?

Cheers,

Kenny

[Slaigar]

Kenny,
That is the "flower stalk" of A. undulatus. It is one of the only Aponogetons that than send out plantlets on stalks. Congratulations!

[Green Baron]

Gan,

THe 'flower stalk' that I mentioned, do not seem to appear like a typical one associated with aponogetons.

In fact, what I saw at the end of the stalk, is that another couple of small leaves growing out at the tip, much like a little vegetative plantlet of the mother plant.

Does any of yours have the same presentation?

Kenny,
This one (A. undulatus,)
[img][450:350]http://www.killies.com/forum/albums/aponogaton/Aponogeton2.jpg[/img] sends out plantlets.

[hobbit6003]

Hi Gan,

Yup, this is the one!

It looks like a tiny plantlet at the end of the stalk. However, it doesn't seem to be developing roots, only the shoots.

Cheers,

Kenny

[zmzfam]

Kenny,

If the plantlet is out of the water, it will not develop roots. Submerged the plantlet and it wil grow the immersed leaves and roots. You have to be patient though

[hobbit6003]

Thanks Zul,

The plantlets are submersed, I guess patience is the key.

Cheers,

Kenny

[Green Baron]

I finally saw how the seed sheds its 'skin'.



1- This is how the seed looks like just before it dislodge from the seed stalk.
2,3 - The outer skin unfolds the green seed floats on the water surface.
4. After a few hours, another layer of skin peels off and the seed sinks to the bottom.
5. A single leaf grows out from the seed.

[Slaigar]

Very nice photo of the various stages of the seeds, Gan! Keep us informed . I am especially curious on how long it takes to develop into a mature plant.

[Green Baron]

Very nice photo of the various stages of the seeds, Gan! Keep us informed . I am especially curious on how long it takes to develop into a mature plant.

It grows very fast. In fact it is growing too big for my 2 feet moss tank. In fact I have to keep trimming the leave to prevent it from covering the whole tank ! This plant is giving out a flower stalk every week ! I think I may have to give it away :-( The plantlets grows very fast as well. I have given away quite a few plantlets and will be sending some seeds overseas.


Drop me a note if any of you are interested in this Aponogaton sp.