Hi all,

I would like some help in identifying the plants found at the following link:

gerrydirish/Plant id II - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

There are three plants in all.

The first plant is in photos 1-4.

The second plant is in photos 5-9. I think this is P. stellata

The third plant is in photos 10-14. It has a SOLID stem when broken. I think this may be L.hipporudies.

I appreciate any and all assistance.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Gerry,

Photo 9 looks like L aromatica. any distinctive smell when cut or smashed between fingers?

Hi Chris,

Did you mean the background plant in that pic? That plant is in pics 10-14......

I was thinking that too if yes to above(L.aromatica), but not really that I could discern. A little different maybe, not sure. They all just smell earthy and fresh to me..........

BTW, I cut some stems of each and they ALL appear to be solid....

I thought one way to differentiate was that one of them, p.stellata I think had a hollow stem......

The last pics have the thickest stems.......

The other 2 plants are not yet quite as mature yet, so time will help.

Thanks,

Just talking about the foreground plant in 5 and 9. L aromatica is very strong, no doubt if you smell one. Definitely more than an earthy smell. So maybe not.

Hi Gerry,
I suppose there could be variations on theme but any specimens of L. aromatica or P. stelleta I've ever grown had leaves with serrated edges. This is not evident in photos 1-4 in which the leaves appear to be ovalate and smooth edged. Those plants look much more like Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'.

I agree with Mooner that photo 9 appears to be L. aromatica as it has the serrated edges and has the strong purplish color on the abaxial surface.

On the other hand, photos 10 and on appear more like P. stelleta which normally has much longer leaves than L. aromatica and tends to sprawl out more. When healthy the abaxial surface of P. stelleta has an iridescent mauve tint rather than a solid purple. It's stem also thickens up much faster than L. aromatica.

To tell the truth, all these plants look severely bummed out due to nutrient deprivation and that's why it's so difficult to distinguish them apart. It's like looking at inmates at a prison camp - they all look the same, thin and weak. Normally, when fattened up like hogs there is absolutely no question regarding the difference between these three species.

This is an example of the destiny of P. stelleta. On the left you can see a mutant purple branch bullying its way up from the same plant. The purple doesn't last however. The crown in the foreground is about 6 inches across.


Here is what L. aromatica is supposed to look like:


An this is how L. inclinata var 'Cuba' expresses itself when given half a chance.
As you can see, none of these specimens can be confused with one another. This is the result of nutrient buildup coupled with massive CO2:



Cheers,

Hi Clive,

Thanks for the info and the pics..............Wonderful specimens!

I wasn't quite expecting the comparison to malnoruished prison inmates, but that is what perspective is.... lol

I can at least tell they are different plants, I don't agree they look the same. It may be more my camera and photo taking skills (or lack thereof).

I didn't think they were quite that bad.

You should have seen them 10 days ago covered in algae and stunted

From THAT perspective, things are MUCH better.

You may remember from our correspondence (and other threads) that it has only been 10-14 days or so since I started a massive EI routine and finally installed a mazzei to correct my c02 levels.

Plus, I was away for the last 6 days and a buddy could only dose twice during that time........

This new growth is at least algae free and colorful and looks better than it did. Remember that your tank has been stable for a long time, while mine has not.

As stated, time will tell.

I will post some more pics in 2-4 weeks and we'll see then..........

New EI for my tank:

Daily

3 tsp of Kn03
2 tsp of KH2P04
100 ml of TMG

50-60% WC with Prime.

If I dose less Kn03 than stated, I will get a bit of BGA almost immediately.......

My drop checkers show yellow, good c02 mist, and excellent pearling from almost all plants.

Things are much improved and getting better all the time.

As always, thanks for the replies.

Plants 1 through 4 is = Ludwigia Cuba

Plants 5 through 9 is = Limnophila Aromatica

Plants 10 through 14 is = Pogostemon Stellatus 'broad leaf type'

Lighting & fert routine has a dramtic impact on growth and look of the plants. The ID's are correct.

Hi mrkookm,

Thanks for the positive id confirmations and the links!

Thanks to all for the prompt replies.

Good to know what I am trying to grow...........

np.........

Hi Gerry,

Re: your daily dosing schedule:


I thought TMG (TPN) had iron in it, so you were not supposed to dose it in the same day that you dose KH2PO4. Is that not correct?