Hi,
I'm having a bit of trouble with my pennywort and I was hoping for some advice.
I love the way it looks when I first buy it - the big leaves and trailing roots are great.
But over time, the leaves start to shrink and the roots just disappear, leaving the stems to fall apart.
I've been anchoring it with weights, and I'm also dosing with liquid CO2 daily and Leaf Zone once a week.
My other plants - cabomba, anubias, crypts, crinum, swords, and lilies - are all doing really well, so I'm not sure what's going on with the pennywort.
I've got an LED light that's specifically designed for plants, so I don't think that's the issue.
Any ideas on how I can keep my pennywort healthy and thriving?
Thanks,
Mark
Growing and using pennywort in herbal remedies
Re: Growing and using pennywort in herbal remedies
I think I can help with that. I've had some experience with pennywort in the past, and I've found that it's not too fond of being fully submerged. It's a plant that's naturally adapted to growing in shallow water, with its leaves floating on the surface.
As for buying it, I've noticed that if you get it during the winter months, it can be quite sensitive to warmer water. I'd recommend trying to get it during the warmer seasons, like late spring or summer. That way, it's already acclimated to the temperature.
Also, have you checked the pH of the water it came from? Some plants can be quite particular about their water conditions, and pennywort might be one of them. I've found that a lot of plants don't take too kindly to acidic water, so it's worth checking that out.
As for buying it, I've noticed that if you get it during the winter months, it can be quite sensitive to warmer water. I'd recommend trying to get it during the warmer seasons, like late spring or summer. That way, it's already acclimated to the temperature.
Also, have you checked the pH of the water it came from? Some plants can be quite particular about their water conditions, and pennywort might be one of them. I've found that a lot of plants don't take too kindly to acidic water, so it's worth checking that out.
Re: Growing and using pennywort in herbal remedies
I think the issue with your pennywort is likely due to insufficient lighting. As a relatively fast-growing stem plant, it requires more intense lighting compared to slower-growing species like your cabomba, anubias, and crypts. I've had success with pennywort as a floating plant, and I'd suggest letting it float to see if that improves its condition.
However, I also think you have another major issue on your hands - the daily dosing of liquid CO2 and Leaf Zone. Taking Leaf Zone first, assuming it's the API product, this fertilizer is incomplete as it only contains iron and potassium. Excessive iron can cause the problems you're experiencing, and the lack of other essential nutrients might be exacerbating the issue. This is especially concerning if you're adding artificial CO2, which brings me to that product.
The CO2 Booster you're using, likely API's, contains glutaraldehyde, a strong disinfectant that can be detrimental to your tank's ecosystem. Even at recommended doses, it can harm plants like Vallisneria, and overdosing can be catastrophic for plants, fish, and beneficial bacteria. In most fish tanks, the natural CO2 levels are sufficient for plants, unless you're creating a high-nutrient, high-light aquatic garden, which doesn't seem to be the case here.
I'd recommend discontinuing both the CO2 Booster and Leaf Zone and switching to a complete fertilizer like Seachem's Flourish Comprehensive Supplement or Brightwell Aquatics FlorinMulti. This should help your pennywort, and it might still benefit from floating.
However, I also think you have another major issue on your hands - the daily dosing of liquid CO2 and Leaf Zone. Taking Leaf Zone first, assuming it's the API product, this fertilizer is incomplete as it only contains iron and potassium. Excessive iron can cause the problems you're experiencing, and the lack of other essential nutrients might be exacerbating the issue. This is especially concerning if you're adding artificial CO2, which brings me to that product.
The CO2 Booster you're using, likely API's, contains glutaraldehyde, a strong disinfectant that can be detrimental to your tank's ecosystem. Even at recommended doses, it can harm plants like Vallisneria, and overdosing can be catastrophic for plants, fish, and beneficial bacteria. In most fish tanks, the natural CO2 levels are sufficient for plants, unless you're creating a high-nutrient, high-light aquatic garden, which doesn't seem to be the case here.
I'd recommend discontinuing both the CO2 Booster and Leaf Zone and switching to a complete fertilizer like Seachem's Flourish Comprehensive Supplement or Brightwell Aquatics FlorinMulti. This should help your pennywort, and it might still benefit from floating.
Re: Growing and using pennywort in herbal remedies
I appreciate the advice, I'll definitely make some changes. I've been using the CO2 and Leaf Zone for about six months now, and while it's worked well for my cabomba, I can see how it might be harming my pennywort. I'll stop dosing those and switch to Seachem's Flourish Comprehensive Supplement instead.
I recently added rotala to my tank, and I'm excited to see how it does. As for the pennywort, I understand the suggestion to let it float, but I really like the way it looks when it's anchored, so I'll try to find a balance. I'll also try increasing the light time a bit and see if that makes a difference.
I recently added rotala to my tank, and I'm excited to see how it does. As for the pennywort, I understand the suggestion to let it float, but I really like the way it looks when it's anchored, so I'll try to find a balance. I'll also try increasing the light time a bit and see if that makes a difference.
Re: Growing and using pennywort in herbal remedies
I also had a go with pennywort and unfortunately, it didn't work out for me - I lost it twice. I anchored it to the substrate, but I think I'll give floating it a shot, like coltin suggested.
Re: Growing and using pennywort in herbal remedies
I gave pennywort a shot as a floating plant a few months back after reading about it here, and it's doing great in my main tank, but it didn't do so well in my betta's tank.
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