Growing tissue culture plants: tips and advice

[graye]

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.

[matti]

I've had a variety of plants from 1-2 Grow cups, and I've found that the ones with the green "easy" logos are perfect for low to moderate lighting. Limnophila and Rotala species are great options, and I'm particularly fond of H'ra, although it does require higher lighting to achieve that beautiful red coloration.

If you have a smartphone with internet access, I'd recommend checking out Tropica's website, which has a wealth of information on plant profiles, including basic requirements. You can search for plants by difficulty level, origin, and more. It's a fantastic resource to have when you're out and about, and I've found it to be really helpful in planning my plant purchases.

[kokomo]

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.

[Snout]

Anubias are pretty low-maintenance when it comes to lighting. Matti's suggestions are solid, Limnophila and Rotala species are definitely worth checking out. I've picked up Anubias from Pets@Home, they're a decent option. If you're looking for something a bit different, floating plants like salvinia are also available from them.

[matti]

Anubias are pretty low-maintenance when it comes to lighting. Matti's suggestions are solid, Limnophila and Rotala species are definitely worth checking out. I've picked up Anubias from Pets@Home, they're a decent option. If you're looking for something a bit different, floating plants like salvinia are also available from them.

My local P@H plant selection has been a letdown, to be honest. They do have a Tropica fridge with 1-2 grow cups, but it's mostly medium to hard-category plants. I've found Proshrimp to be a better option, they usually have deals every month or so.

[graye]

I've dabbled in Anubias, Bolbitis, and Vallisneria for years - the easy stuff.
I've got a bit of a habit of giving away fish, and people always want to return the favor, so I started trading fish for plants. Initially, my goal was just to clear out some excess fish, and I didn't expect the plants to do well. But with some decent LED lights, the plants I was getting were actually thriving. I used to grow a lot of stem plants in my old setups, but now it feels like a whole new world is opening up.

I'd lost a huge collection of Crypts in a move - a line that went back 30 years and started with just three plants. So when I saw Crypt wendtii in a tissue culture, I figured I'd give it a shot. It worked out, so I started looking for other Crypts, and those worked too. I'm now growing all sorts of plants that I couldn't before, and it's getting really interesting. At first, I thought the tissue culture cups were pricey, but then I realized there are usually 3 or 4 plants in each one. That changes everything, since they seem to adapt really well.

[coltin]

Tissue culture plants have opened up a world of possibilities for me, and I'm excited to explore more options. I've come across some great plants that thrive in moderate lighting conditions. Hygrophila species, like Hygrophila ruba or rubra, are medium-sized plants that do well in these conditions. Another option is Hygrophila polysperma, which can be trained to grow up a wall or hedge by laying it down on the substrate and weighing it down. I've also heard great things about Ambulia, a nice plant that can grow quite tall and can be treated similarly to Hygrophila polysperma. Water Sprite is another versatile option, as it can be used as a floating plant or planted in the substrate to create a lovely, light green shrub. For creating a grassy effect in the front of the aquarium, Pygmy chain swords or a small species of Sagittaria can be used, as they spread by runners and can be easily maintained.

[caman]

I'm currently having a blast with some tissue culture moss I picked up - it's been a real game-changer for my tank. I have to admit, I didn't exactly follow the instructions, just kinda plopped it in a corner and let it do its thing... Now it's taking over the front of the tank, and honestly, I'm not even mad about it.

[TwinTankman]

For those interested in exploring Tropica's 1-2 Grow series, I'd recommend checking out their website. You can view their entire range here: https://tropica.com/en/plants/1-2-grow/. Clicking on any of the plants will give you more in-depth information.

Personally, I was initially unaware of Tropica when I first started planting my tank. However, I soon discovered their fertilizers and was impressed. Unfortunately, at the time, the US had restrictions on importing their plants. The issue was that their plants came in pots with a rooting medium, whereas American regulations required bare-rooted plants. This made it impossible for me to obtain their plants.

I can only assume that their tissue-cultured plants are exempt from these regulations, allowing them to be imported. Interestingly, Tropica now has a presence in Vancouver, Canada.

[Burgermuncher]

I figured out why Tropica's 1-2 Grow plants have become so widely available on Vancouver Island - they've set up shop in Vancouver, Canada. Now, almost every decent fish store carries them, except for Petsmart, but that's not a huge loss.