Long running plants!

[raylove]

I just realised today that my Cryptocoryne affinis are the descendants of plants that I bought over 30 years ago!
I used to struggle to grow plants and affinis was the only species that lasted long term. In the 1990's it was usually the only plant in my tanks and at times it completely over ran them - it always seemed a shame to pull out the only plant I could grow!
Now, after several major re-scapes and house moves I am much better at growing many species, but my affinis is still around. I can't remember how much I paid for the original pot but I would say it was good value!

 

[MattW]

I've seen a few tanks online that are reaching decades old, including the plants inside them and some inhabitants. It seems many species are indestructible
Definitely a good value plant!

A great video to watch on longevity in an aquarium

 

[GaryE]

I paid $7 for a Bolbitis heudelotti sprig in a club auction in 1992. They're still growing all over my tanks.

5 years ago, I had the pleasure of giving three or four of them to the man who'd sold them to me, when he returned to the hobby. They are indestructible, because if they weren't, trust me, they'd have been destroyed.

I also have a few Cryptocoryne wendtii descended from ones I bought the same year, at the same club. I had decided my plant killing ways had to be stopped, and I had to try plants people had told me even I couldn't kill. The valls I bought at the same time didn't make it...

 

[Uberhoust]

My Vallisneria plants are based on originals that are now decades old. My ponds are using the same rosy red flathead minnows that started with my father's originals and that colony has been self-replicating since the late 80s.