Echinoderus in bloom

[guillermops]

Hi,

Just wanted to share with you one of those rewarding first times everybody experiment with their aquariums. My Echinoderus sp. (I also take the opportunity for you to identify it up to species) has bloomed. Please see the pictures below:

1. First steps. F->Flowering stem. L->Floating leaf in development.
2. Floating leaf completely developed. These have red freckles and are larger than the regular vegetative leaves.
3. Flowering stem completely grown. First flowers opened (only lasted one day). A curious thing happened: the flowering stem has 4 verticilles and buds begun to open on the second one from the bottom (?!)
4. Flower, detail. Trigonal simetry: 3 sepals, 3 petals, 18 stamens. Isn't it beautiful?

1.JPG

2.JPG

3.JPG

4.JPG

By the way, I also wanted to thank Tom and the Plant Guru Team for this web site and for their hard work. You make our tanks better guys!!

Regards,

[Gerryd]

Very nice! Yes, blooms are great. I am always excited when any aponogeton blooms for me...I had hygrophila grow emersed years ago and they produced the prettiest blue flowers...

Keep up the good work.

[Biollante]

Hi,


Nice plant!



I am troubled by the bright green of the first picture, but based on the second picture and the flower it is probably Echinodorus Osiris, though I gather some authorities regard it as Echinodorus uruguayensis, I assume they mean a variant.



This plant commonly known as a Melon Sword, a nice low-medium light plant, tending to be brighter green as it matures. E. Osiris likes rich substrates; if you are able, growth can be encouraged by letting half the plant out of water for a few months a year. It is a true bog plant.



Biollante

[guillermops]

I had hygrophila grow emersed years ago and they produced the prettiest blue flowers...

Any hint to do that? I suppose it has to be in not very well drained soil and loads of water...

[guillermops]

I am troubled by the bright green of the first picture, but based on the second picture and the flower it is probably Echinodorus Osiris, though I gather some authorities regard it as Echinodorus uruguayensis, I assume they mean a variant.

You have my word that I haven't been putting in practice any Tom Barr's Photoshop-colour-forgery-examples... The plant has that colour for real. It contrasts nicely with the new leaves with red marks...

[Gerryd]

Any hint to do that? I suppose it has to be in not very well drained soil and loads of water...

Hi, these were submersed specimens where I simply allowed it to grow out of the tank. The stem was quite thick to support it. I have old pics, but nothing digital, sorry.

Once it started to grow above the surface, the entire stem got stronger/larger. It was a huge plant....

[Biollante]

You have my word that I haven't been putting in practice any Tom Barr's Photoshop-colour-forgery-examples... The plant has that colour for real. It contrasts nicely with the new leaves with red marks...

Hi,



Not accusing you of any shenanigans with the photo, I just have never seen a Melon sword that green, it is beautiful and I am convinced it is Echinodorus Osiris.



As with Echinodorus spp., they like iron.


Though I am wondering with the bright green and flowering if it is healthy, it may need a little out of water experience.

• Though I think, you should keep its feet wet and they like humidity.

Biollante

[guillermops]

Though I am wondering with the bright green [B]and flowering if it is healthy, it may need a little out of water experience.

Hi, now I know where you are heading to , silly me. You are suggesting that my plant is probably chlorotic for some reason, namely lack of iron...

The thing is I bought is from IKEA (yeah, cheap stuff) and it always was that green . I also feed her plenty of EDTA chelated iron. I suppose it must be some varietal colour.

By the way, I am looking forward to try growing them emerged! I will use scions from the base of the flower buds (they appear to be growing leaves now!!) I'll let you know when done

Thanks,

[Biollante]

Hi,


Yes, keep us posted. I think that is a gorgeous plant.


Do not underestimate how much of a nutrient hog these can be.


Biollante