Micro Sword

[Dorkhedeos]

i saw some mislabed microsword at petsmart the other day and i got the bunch for 2.50. funny thing was that i was thinking about buying it the night before. i just was wondering what the requirements were, because the leaves are starting to turn yellowish green. my dad suggesed me grow these in soil before putting htem im my tank so they are stronger, but im not sure about this. i really want this plant to be successful because ive been thinking about something that could carpet my tank. any ideas? i have 2 compact fluorescent lights in my hood, i think they are 13w. 10g tank with 4 female betta in it, 2 adfs, and 2 corys http/www.feit.com/minitwist.html i have the mini ones. my dad said this will work, so i used them.

 

[Tsi_User]

Wait, your dad wants to grow them in the soil/air first before putting them in the tank? definately not, most aquatic plants suffer quite the damage or even die if they are out of the tank for more than a short period of time (unless they are packaged properly, like when companies ship aquatic plants).

Des it look like this: http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Di....cfm?pCatId=805

or this: http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Di....cfm?pCatId=828

If it's one of those two kinds, 1.3wpg isn't going to be enough.

 

[cleekdaFish]

mirco sword is hrad to grow my got algae big time

 

[Themuleous]

Wait, your dad wants to grow them in the soil/air first before putting them in the tank? definately not, most aquatic plants suffer quite the damage or even die if they are out of the tank for more than a short period of time (unless they are packaged properly, like when companies ship aquatic plants).

Thats not strictly true, most aquatic plants are actually propagated out of the water in whats called hydroponics. Tropica grow all their plants like that just keep the roots in water. We know the quality of their plants! But I wouldn't advocate growing them in the soil

Dorkhedeos - micro/pygmy swords can be tricky and generally need higher light and ferts, etc to do well. I had some and like cleekdaFish it got covered in algae.

Sam

 

[excaliborg]

Mine also got covered in algae during a past accident (lights on for >48hours straight ), however after scraping the algae off it has survived multiple tank layouts and is growing slowly. It definitely does best when separated into a plantlets of a few blades of grass.

 

[Tsi_User]

Wait, your dad wants to grow them in the soil/air first before putting them in the tank? definately not, most aquatic plants suffer quite the damage or even die if they are out of the tank for more than a short period of time (unless they are packaged properly, like when companies ship aquatic plants).

Thats not strictly true, most aquatic plants are actually propagated out of the water in whats called hydroponics. Tropica grow all their plants like that just keep the roots in water. We know the quality of their plants! But I wouldn't advocate growing them in the soil

Guess I didn't think of that, but that would make sense. Still pretty sure growing them like a potted plant still isn't a good idea lol.

 

[Themuleous]

Haha no in a pot probably isn't the best place for them!

 

[Dorkhedeos]

well, heres pics of them, hopefully they will be enough. i think they are microsword, but they were labeled dwarf hairgrass so they were way cheaper. so should i put them in a pot outside? maybe like a milk jug with soil on the bottom filled with water? what lights would you suggest? im not willing to spend over 10 bucks on lights for a 10 gallon though

 

[d3tained]

Hi There.

I have grown microswords very succesfully in the past.

I found that they need ALLOT of light and CO2 in order to spread faster.Still a very slow grower.

The leaves turning yellow is telling me that its not getting enouth light or there is nutrient issue.

 

[Themuleous]

Leave them in your tank, they'll have to adjust wherever you put them and if you put them in a pot outside they have to adjust to that and then again when you move them to your tank. If your tank is suitable for them they'll grow, if not might as well find out sooner. And I agree with d3t, in my experience they need lots of light to do well.

Sam