Flowering Aponogetons

[mad scientist]

Hi everyone,
The A. Ulvaceus in my tank is producing flower buds recently. At first I thought that's pretty normal and was all excited about it. But now, i realised that it has been a week and there are 3 flower buds emerging from the same Ulvaceus plant! Weird...
My Madagascar lace "narrow leaf" is also producing a lower bud... is this the "usual" period when Aponogetons flower?
I read somewhere that the African Aponogeton species would go into a stage of hibernation for a while (1-2 months). During this period of time, the leaves would drop off, leaving only the bulb. Is this before or after the flowering period?

Thanks!

[aizaspurz]

Hello Mr Scientist....

Have you got any pic to show? I'm INTERESTED to know cos I do keep the same plant. And since it's healthy, I'm hoping to see buds in mine too.

[SCMurphy]

My Lace plants started the growth phase this year in October (I'm in the US) and they started flowering at the same time.

They are still flowering, infact I currently have 4 flowers in various stages of bloom in my laceplant tank, and two more reaching for the surface.

I'm starting to wonder if they are planning on stopping anytime soon, or have they become "sex addicts".

[mad scientist]

[quote:7d4d65444f="SCMurphy"]My Lace plants started the growth phase this year in October (I'm in the US) and they started flowering at the same time.

They are still flowering, infact I currently have 4 flowers in various stages of bloom in my laceplant tank, and two more reaching for the surface.

I'm starting to wonder if they are planning on stopping anytime soon, or have they become "sex addicts". [/quote:7d4d65444f]

Do your lace plants ever go hibernating like what I've read about African species?

[SCMurphy]

The leaves start to look bad late August, so I clip them off. Then in late September the new leaves start growing at full steam. They take about a month off from being pretty.

I don't remove them from the aquarium however. They are 9 years old and I don't want to mess up the root system.

[mad scientist]

I don't remove them from the aquarium however. They are 9 years old and I don't want to mess up the root system.[/quote]

9 years old... wow....

[SCMurphy]

Today a new flower opened up with a triple stalk, the first triple this year. Actually the mother plants are probably older than 9 years, I had them for a few years in the house we lived in before this one.

[mad scientist]

[quote:9cdce88773="SCMurphy"]Today a new flower opened up with a triple stalk, the first triple this year. Actually the mother plants are probably older than 9 years, I had them for a few years in the house we lived in before this one.[/quote:9cdce88773]

Triple stalk!? wow... Mine are all doubles so far...one ulvaceus plant has 4 flower buds with 2 of them currently flowering. Another ulvaceus (yes, I have two of these beauties!) is also starting to bud... My Madagascar lace 'narrow leaf''s bud is finally reaching the top. cant wait to see it flower...