Id 3 Plants

[nitrochicken]

Can anyone id 3 of my plants. I want to make sure they are true aquatic plants but I cant seem to find what they are from looking at pictures online.

1. A bit like vallis but leaves are narrow and more rigid and darker coloured:

2. Thin woody stems and leaves that look similar to those of a beech tree:

3. Woody, dead straight stems (almost like thin bamboo) with pointed leaves coming off at lighter coloured bands. Seem to grow quite quickly as I\'ve had to trim the tops above the water already. Sorry, this pic is bad but its the plants at the back next to the heater.

Thanks

Dale

 

[TigerIssey]

Number 1 is mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonica or other ophiopgon sp. It is not an aquatic plant, is a terrarium plant and will rot in the aquarium. Number 2 not sure, number 3 looks Dracaena like which is also not an aquatic species and belongs in a terrarium.
Hope this helps.

 

[nitrochicken]

Look like you arae def right about mondo grass, I googled it and it looks just the same. I'll remove it. Can't believe aquatics shops sell these plants and are just ripping people off

I'm not sure about the last one though, I've googled Dracaena and it's the same thing as lucky bamboo. I also have one of these in a vase in the kitchen and they look nothing alike. I suspect you might be right about not being a true aquatic plant though. I just read that, as a general rule, aquatic plants can't support their own weight out of water and this certainally can. I think I'll remove it anyway and find something better to put in its place.

Thanks

Dale

 

[TigerIssey]

There is more than 1 dracaena, I though it looked similar to dracaena deremensis. I have The Aquarium plant handbook which also lists the popular terrarium plants luckily. Check this one out.

 

[nitrochicken]

dracaena deremensis seems to mostly have yellow on the edges of the leaves which mine doesn't. Also, the leaves look more waxy on the pictures I've seen. I'm gonna get rid now anyway as I never liked it much!
Without identifying the 2nd plant, can you say if it looks like an aquarium plant or not?

Thanks

Dale

 

[TigerIssey]

I am not sure on this one, I looked in my book and could not find anything similar at all. Others may have a more comprehensive book to hand, but I did think my book covered most plants but not all sub species. My rule is if its not in my book it does not go in my tank.
You could keep an eye on it to see if it starts to develop roots submerged, or whether it starts to rot.
Really it depends how much you like the plant.

 

[nosoup4you]

On the second plant, the closest thing that comes to mind is Hygrophila corymbosa. Have a google and see what you think.

 

[three-fingers]

Second one is Bolbitis heteroclita, in emersed form. It's not very easy to grow, usually does badly IME. Given time it might adapt to be underwater though. It will grow loads of roots out its leaves and such.

Third one could be, Hygrophila stricta, but beause it's grown on a bit and doesn't look like it does when you buy it from the LFS, I cant tell for sure.

 

[nitrochicken]

Not sure its Hygrophila stricta, doesn't look right. It has sent roots down from approx 1 up the stem so maybe it is aquatic.

Bolbitis heteroclita looks right, seems its hard to grow like you say. I may keep a small piece to see what happens.

I've been and bought a couple of plants to replace them with, ones that I know are aquatic.
I've got water wisteria, java fern and a really healthy looking amazon sword that I'm sure will quickly take over the tank!

Does java fern need to be grown on bog wood or will it grow in sand?

Thanks

 

[three-fingers]

Java fern will grow in sand as long as the rhizome isn't covered (otherwise it will rot).

It's usually easier to at least tie it to a small rock so it stays in place in the sand.

IME it grows much better attached to things. The only time I managed to get it thriving int he substrate was when I was using an undergravel filter.