Re: [APD] Madagascar Lace

[Harry Martin <harry at harrymartincartoons_com>]

On Wed Feb 21  6:14 , 'Richard J. Sexton' <richard at aquaria_net> sent:
>What temperature is it at and how big is it? You got pics?

Hi Richard.

I keep my tank at 78F.
The plant is growing pretty fast. When I last looked at it, the longest leaf is
about 15 - 18 inches long. Two more have sprung forth, and the pod has reached
the surface. It should spring the flower any day now. I'll have to setup a web
page for it so I can get the pics on line. I've had this plant since about 1998
and have lost count of the flowers. I never pull the lace plant out for dormant
periods.

I have been browsing old/archived posts from the list and finding some
interesting reading about this plant. All I can say is that my lace plant doesn't
know how to read.  ;-)  

I have experimented with DIY CO2, different light bulbs, and soils.
One thing I did notice about my plant is that it really comes to life right after
a water change. So, I am now in the habit of making weekly water changes (10% -
20%). The plant grows like a weed when I do this.  At one point in time, I was
pulling leaves out from the bottom just because it was taking over my tank. The
roots spread everywhere and get quite long.

Here is my setup:

55 Gal acrylic tank, no tight fitting covers.
100W heater set to 78F.
Soil is a mix of medium to small natural gravel plus the usual fish droppings.
The lace root (bulb?) is completly burried and right next to a rock cave for my
dwarf pleco and khuli loaches.
2 x 45 Watt 48" cheapo Wally Wurld light bulbs.
12 hours of light on a timer.
2 hanging box filters (lots of turbulent water).
Weekly vacuum cleaning of the top layer of gravel to keep algae in check.
A few snails and fish (Gourami).
Other plants which I fail to identify.
Hard well water (untreated city tap water works just as well).
No CO2.
2 tablespoons of liquid plant fertilizer after each water change.
Fish get fed sporadiclly (like, when I remember to feed them).
House temperature can get to a low of 51F before my furnace kicks on.

That's it.

The leaves seem pretty tough. I'd just like to know *why* they are so perforated.
Maybe somthing about their habitat gives their leaves an advantage to survival.

I'll get that web page up.

Harry

-- 
Harry Martin
Casper, WY

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