Crinum calamistratum - Need Advice

[Daz]

Thinking of getting the above plant, simply love it's long leaves. a couple of question to ask, hope to get some help. search the web got some info already but still need more advice.

1. Other then it need a lot of lights, good and deep substrate, anything else?

2. When planting, part of the bulb should be exposed right? 1/2 or a 1/4?

3. Will I be able to cultivate daughter plants from this? or does it grow from seeds only?

[theodore]

----------------
On 9/4/2003 12:25:01 AM

Thinking of getting the above plant, simply love it's long leaves. a couple of question to ask, hope to get some help. search the web got some info already but still need more advice.

1. Other then it need a lot of lights, good and deep substrate, anything else?

2. When planting, part of the bulb should be exposed right? 1/2 or a 1/4?

3. Will I be able to cultivate daughter plants from this? or does it grow from seeds only?
----------------

1. A tall tank

2. Anything between 1/2 to 1/4 should be fine. Most sources I've read says 1/3 anyway.

3. Plantlets (aka bulblets) can form on the bulb if the plant is doing well. I'm quite surprised at your suggestion that it only grows from seeds since you have already searched the web for info on this plant.

[Daz]

Thanks man. BTW how to make it grows well? other then the usual stuff like lights, CO2 and fertilizers? ANy special stuff required?

[Simon]

extracted from Tropica

max Height 40-120 cm, Width 20-30 cm

Light requirements high-very high

Temperature 20-28 °C

Hardness tolerance very soft-hard

pH tolerance 5,5-8

Growth slow

Crinum calamistratum is a very graceful bulbous plant with dark-green, very narrow leaves. It forms smaller bulbs than the other Crinum species, and demands more light. In the aquarium plants that are thriving form a number of small bulbs. It is not eaten by herbivorous fish. It can also be used in brackish aquariums with low salt concentrations.


Extracted from Dennerle

Characteristics: Onion plant with narrow, firm and leathery leaves, the margins puckered and wavy. Height: 50 - 70 cm. Growth rate: Monthly 1 - 2 leaves. Propagation: By bulblets forming on the bulb. Requirements: Undemanding. Special note: In the open aquarium the C 60 sometimes produces white flowers.

[Daz]

theodore, seem that you have experience in this plant.

Are those thin green string like things that are growing out of the bulb new leaves?

I know this is a slow growing plant, thus i got to make sure i get one healthy plant or else spend a long time for the leaves to grow.

[kadios]

Hi Daz!

Provide enuff lights to the plant so that it's leaves will spread out horizontally. The leaves grew vertically the other time when my light was insufficient. The string liked thing that grow out of the bulb is the leave that will "curl" eventually, forming the crinkled patterns that you see on matured leaves. Juz the other day, the fellows at Teo's told me that you can make the plant grow faster and perhaps develop new bulblets next to the mother plant if you trimmed a bit of the end of the leaves frequently. I haven't tried it though.

Same as you, I find the plant very attractive!

Cheers!

[theodore]

Nay, I've read up it before but decided against trying it because my tank is too short - You need a tank with 2ft height to do the plant justice. I got myself Cryptocoryne crispulata (aka C. retrospiralis) instead since I still very much like to have something with narrow, wrinkled leaves.

[a_scape]

Hi Daz,
Just want to share my experience with this nice plants,
1. Within 1,5 yrs I only can get 3 baby bulblets. The basic fertilizer that I use is Dennerle Deponit Mix.
2. Ideally you need at least 80 cm height tank
3. As a slow growing plants, this tend to be easily infected with algae mine is planted slightly on the back position near filter outlet so I can see the beauty of the long leaves swaying in the water. Also try to keep the tank temperature at least 26'C.
4. Mine is only getting medium light as planted on back side, lighting is using Azoo Super White 40watt x 4
Good luck.

AChen

[Daz]

Thanks to all that have replied! I decided to go buy one maybe later today.

Look simple enough, good substrate/fertilizer and strong lights!!! Plant it at 1/3 or 1/4 exposed bulb and viola, it should be fine I hope.

Keep my finger cross that it will work out well, not a cheap plant at $8.. so hope it can make it in my tank!!!