Tiger Lotus And Cabomba How To?

[mibson]

I have a 90g with co2 and 3.4 wpg. I have it successfully moderately planted now. I bought a tiger lotus bulb and some strands of cabomba today and want to plant them. The tiger lotus is not in good shape the leaves are mostly dead, how should I revive it? My substrate is fine with 10% fluorite. I do EI dosing with appropriate chems.

Also, I bought some cabomba strands that look very healthy but have no roots, how would you suggest planting it?

Thanks for the help,

Cheers!

 

[fordtrannyman]

The tiger lotus is not in good shape the leaves are mostly dead, how should I revive it?

I recently aquired Nymphaea stelatta, which is referred to as Tiger Lilly. is has big Lotus leaves and can flower under the right
environment. I'm not sure if this is what you have. But it was quite drab and the leaves wilted and died rather quickly. But the new growth is extraordinary. I did nothing special but, squirted a little flourish excel straight onto it with a syringe.


I believe the Cabomba can be floated for a bit to acclimate and then be placed right in the substrate.
Sounds like you got some top clippings. Which is how they are propagated.

 

[SuperColey1]

The Cabomba can be planted as it is. each stem 1 inch apart or spread.

Nymphea Stellata is not Tiger Lotus. Tiger Lotus is Nymphea Zenkeri.

Most of this plant species is labelled Tiger Lotus by sellers but Tiger Lotus (Zenkeri) has a much smaller bulb that is much more like an outdoor bulb (teardrop shape) and is approx 1cm across. The leaves are also much more contrasting whereas Rubra and Stellata have a smaller contrast in the colours if any on their leaves.

One of mine is green with burgandy flecs, another is red with burgandy flecs. The Rubras in the same tank have a much more uniform red to burgandy hue.

If it is 2cm+ acroos and more woodlike in appearance then it isn't tiger Lotus.

With al of this species I would suggest removing all stems and roots from the bulb and then (making sure that you have the opening where the leaves/roots were facing up) push the bulb into the substrate so that 2/3 of it is buried and 1/3 is still visible.

After 2-3 weeks is should be looking great and soon after once its roots get a good grip then it should suddenly go crazy.

Once the plant has gripped the substrate then you can gently remove the bulb making sure the plant stays in place in the substrate.

Put the bulb in a new position and let it grow another plant. This can be continued infinately.

Its quite a strange plant in that it grows from the bulb but doesn't need the bulb to survive once grown!!

Andy

 

[mibson]

Thanks so much Andy! My bulb is big, about 3cm by 6cm. I already have new growth after two days. The old growth all died. All apears to be going well!

So what kind do you think I have with this big woody bulb? The old growth was very thin and red. The new growth is still small but very red also.

I would like to know the exact species I have because the store is selling them cheep and I might go get more. I thought these were small foreground plants but I have a feeling they do get very tall in the correct environment, is this true?

Thanks again!

Cheers

 

[SuperColey1]

I would guess they are Rubra although that is one big bulb if it truly is 3x6. They do get bigger with age though.

The leaves on this will be a pinky yellowy burgandy colour with a hint of green.

This species will always endeavour to reach the surface as that is its nature. People say that if you cut the stems regularly it 'learns' not to climb so high although I cannot vouch for this as I like them to reach the surface and just thin them out if too many are blocking light.

Andy

 

[mibson]

I would guess they are Rubra although that is one big bulb if it truly is 3x6. They do get bigger with age though.

The leaves on this will be a pinky yellowy burgandy colour with a hint of green.

This species will always endeavour to reach the surface as that is its nature. People say that if you cut the stems regularly it 'learns' not to climb so high although I cannot vouch for this as I like them to reach the surface and just thin them out if too many are blocking light.

Andy

Thanks so much Andy. I just measured it (indirectly) it is 2.4cm by 5cm and very woody. I actuly didnt belive it was a bulb and thought it was drift wood...

The leaves are bugandy with a bit of green and yellow...

Thanks again

Cheers