Growing tissue culture plants: tips and advice

[TwinTankman]

We've got a Petco that's a pet paradise, and you've got a Petsmart that's, well, a different story altogether.

[graye]

I've had some interesting conversations with local fish store owners, and they all seem to agree that ordering from Singapore is actually cheaper for them than buying from Tropica in BC. It's not surprising, really - this is a massive country on a massive continent.

[kokomo]

The two methods can't be compared, really. One's like creating a mini-ecosystem in a sunny swamp, the other's a full-on lab setup. That's a huge difference, which justifies the price gap.

[graye]

I got my hands on some of their moss and, well, let's just say I was supposed to plant it properly. Instead, I basically just dropped the ball in a corner of the tank and hoped for the best.

Fast forward to now, and it's taking over the front of the tank - no matter what I do. I guess you could say I've found one plant I can actually grow, even with my limited skills.

It's tough for local operations to match the prices of tropical products from countries where they're readily available. Having Tropica on the west coast doesn't seem to be having the positive impact on the Canadian hobby that you'd expect, given the reduced shipping costs and all that.

[kokomo]

I've recently discovered the world of tissue culture plants and I have to say, I've had great success with Cryptocorynes. As someone who doesn't typically focus on plants, I've been impressed with the results I've achieved, especially with improved lighting. However, I'm struggling to find a comprehensive list of plants available through tissue culture, particularly in the 1 2 Grow series.

Given my limited access to quality fish stores - the nearest one is a 4-hour drive - I'm forced to do my research remotely. I'm looking for some guidance on moderate-light tissue culture options beyond Cryptocorynes. Are there any other popular choices that I should consider?

I have a brief opportunity to visit a store that carries tissue culture plants next week, but they don't provide a list of available options. I'd like to be prepared, so I'm hoping for some suggestions from more experienced aquarists.

I'm referring to the availability aspect. Although tissue culture plants come at a higher price, they grow exceptionally well and I appreciate the convenience of not having to disinfect or quarantine them due to the risk of snail infestations.