madagascar lace

Plant_Man

i have been looking into purchasing a madagascar lace plant, however in my reading it says that it is a very difficult plant to grow. at the same time in another article is says that it quite tolerant. if anyone has any experience with growing it, i would love your feedback

Thank you

daisycutter

these plants seem to have dwindeled in popularity due to there difficult nature(supposed or otherwise) ive NEVER seen one for sale but from what ive read its only difficulty comes from the fact its a bulb that needs to be removed from the tank in winter

leifthebunny

I am TRYING to grow one, but the bulb hasn't sprouted. I'm not sure if it's my fish eating off the growth or it's a dud bulb (already had one). My understanding is that if you grown them by themselves, they will not live for more than 3-4 months on average. The only success I've heard is by planting them with other plants in a dish so the roots mix. I think they probably get their nutrients from other plants in a symbiotic deal.

fish_4_all

http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=214

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Plants/madagascar.html

Take a look at the sites, they may help you make a decision.

Everythng points to them being extremely difficult but they can be grown and grown well. The key seems to be a lot of oxygen to the roots, hence a larger substrate on top but a nutrient rich substrate at the bottom to "feed" the bulb. Another plant growing with their roots intertwined also seems to be a huge advantage for the Lace plant. If this is truely the case. I would suggest getting some kind of Ludwigia or Hygrophila along with the Lace as they produce more roots that most other plants. A large sword will also have a massive amount of roots if this indeed is beneficial to the Lace plant and oyu can handle a Sword that gets up to 2 feet across.

Whatever you try, it sounds like it will be a handful to keep it going but might be worth the effort if it looks a nice as the pictures.

daisycutter

ive found an old aqarium manual at a charity shop(1978)
in it it suggests

removed from water and kept in moist peat between sept-feb
cooler temp preffered
netral water conditions
very rich growing medium it suggests putting the bulb in a bag of peat mix about 6 times the volume of the bulb under the substrate with the top protruding... the mix is 10% charcoal 10% sand 30%clay 50% peat
the plant is very sensative to metals in the water
do not allow it to flower

dont know if this is any help this book was published before i was even born


failing that there are some very convinceing plastic versions :D

herefishy

Although many hve dificulty keeping this plant, I seem to have fairly good success with mine(I have 2). I have found that the trick is to keep the plant free of algal growth. This is no small task seeing how fine the webs of the leaf are. Adequate feeding, proper water conditions, and lighting are the key.