[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

RE crypts

I'm sure Richard will chime in on this one! First off good job! Get a
picture ASAP too!

Roger Miller wrote:
>Folks,
>
>A couple weeks ago I noticed an inflorescence developing on one of my
>submersed crypts.  I gave it a week to see if it would open underwater.  
>It didn't, so I trimmed it off and opened it myself to see the color, form
>of the throat and the layout of various parts inside.  I've kept this
>plant for years without knowing what it is, and the inflorescence, applied
>to the ID table in Rataj and Horeman let me identify it as C. cordata.
>
>I'm aware that Crypt. specialists disagree with some of the
>classifications in R&H.  Moreover, the flower's color (vibrant yellow,
>shading to brown at the edges and on the limb) was according to R&H a
>little unusual for C. cordata.  The plant is otherwise normal for C.
>cordata as described by R&H.  Does anyone know if more recent work has
>reclassified these plants?

Go to Jan's Crypts pages for a better ID and pic's.
http://users.bart.nl/~crypts/Gallery/cor/cor.html

>Also, I noticed a few days ago that two more inflorescences are developing
>in this same group of plants.  Does anyone know what it is that triggers a
>group of crypts to suddenly try blooming, despite being continuously
>submersed?  I've had other crypts bloom in my tanks before, but I've never
>before seen a stand of submersed plants attempt group sex.

Got you interested in making seeds eh? I doubt they will ever fertilize
submersed. The old Phosphorus flowering trick can sometimes trigger it and
*perhaps* so can high levels of Ca and/or Mg with the cordata. It may be
something else besides cordata but check the Crypt pages to be sure. Good
vigorous health is the best for flowering IMO. Yellow limb sounds like it.
I'd kill to get some Rosefolia cordata though!
Often the "kettle" is shown. This does not open but is cut to show the the
parts. Submersed crypts do "open" but there is a long tube going down to the
flower making them seem closed but there is a small opening at the top to
let the little bugs for pollenation in and out. 
This may help. I have a pic of a C. cordata var blassii flower submersed
that may be in TFH soon so get that pic also! We need more crypt keepers in
the USA. My C. lingua seeds are fertile and growing now. Fun stuff. 

Regards, 
Tom Barr