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Growing and caring for aponogeton bulbs
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 3:36 am
by Falzone
My bulbs have been growing for over a month now and they just keep producing flowers. I've had at least 5 or 6 blooms on each one so far. I've been cutting them once they flower, but I'm starting to wonder how I can get them to multiply. Do these bulbs produce offsets like tulips or iris plants do? Or is there another way to get more of them?
Re: Growing and caring for aponogeton bulbs
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 5:45 am
by coltin
I'd advise against cutting the flowers off. The plant will keep producing more flowers, which can be a waste of energy. If you get two flowers at the same time, you can try gently rubbing them together to see if you can pollinate them.
Aponogetons actually produce seeds, not smaller bulbs like tulips or iris plants do.
Re: Growing and caring for aponogeton bulbs
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 7:31 am
by Falzone
coltin wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 5:45 am
I'd advise against cutting the flowers off. The plant will keep producing more flowers, which can be a waste of energy. If you get two flowers at the same time, you can try gently rubbing them together to see if you can pollinate them.
Aponogetons actually produce seeds, not smaller bulbs like tulips or iris plants do.
Thanks for the tip, I'll stop cutting them off now. I thought I was helping by cutting off the flowers, but I guess I was wrong. They just keep on flowering anyway, so I'll just leave them be from now on.
Re: Growing and caring for aponogeton bulbs
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 9:20 am
by boomer
I've had some experience with Aponogetons, although I'm no expert. I recall having one that produced these little plants from the flower stalks - they just kind of showed up. I'm not sure if it was after the flowering, or if they just appeared on certain stems, but I do remember cutting them off and planting them, and they'd grow into new plants.
I also found that adding a Flourish Tab near the tuber made a big difference - I'd replace it every three months. My Red Tiger Lotus, which is also a tuber plant, seemed to do better with the Flourish Tab as well.
Re: Growing and caring for aponogeton bulbs
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 9:36 am
by Falzone
boomer wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 9:20 am
I've had some experience with Aponogetons, although I'm no expert. I recall having one that produced these little plants from the flower stalks - they just kind of showed up. I'm not sure if it was after the flowering, or if they just appeared on certain stems, but I do remember cutting them off and planting them, and they'd grow into new plants.
I also found that adding a Flourish Tab near the tuber made a big difference - I'd replace it every three months. My Red Tiger Lotus, which is also a tuber plant, seemed to do better with the Flourish Tab as well.
I've never experimented with Flourish Tabs before, but I've had great success with Fluval Stratum as my substrate. My plants seem to be thriving on it, and they're growing well, which is a definite plus. I just wish I could propagate more Aponogetons - that's my main goal now.
Re: Growing and caring for aponogeton bulbs
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 11:03 am
by coltin
Aponogetons are heavy feeders and need plenty of fertiliser to thrive. They initially grow well for the first 3 months because they're utilising the stored nutrients in the bulb. Once those nutrients are depleted, the plants will struggle and potentially die if they're not receiving sufficient nutrients from the soil or water.
Re: Growing and caring for aponogeton bulbs
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 1:55 pm
by Falzone
I've been using fluval stratum under the gravel and it seems to be working well for the plants, they're healthy and growing. But I'm wondering, won't the stratum provide the nutrients the aponogetons need?
Re: Growing and caring for aponogeton bulbs
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 4:36 pm
by boomer
I'd advise against going for the cheapest option when it comes to substrate fertilizer tabs. In my experience, Seachem's Flourish Tabs are top-notch. I've found the API ones to be less effective, but I'm not familiar with European manufacturers. Using the wrong tabs can lead to a multitude of problems, so it's worth investing in a good quality one.
Re: Growing and caring for aponogeton bulbs
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 6:58 pm
by Falzone
That's good to know, thanks for the tip.