A Few Interesting New Species (56K Warning - Pics)

[travis simonson]

I've recently received several new species of plants I haven't seen anywhere else in the hobby from a friend who collects rare species. I thought I would share some pictures of them and see if anyone has any comments or experience with these plants. They're new to me so I'm still working on understanding their needs

This is Rotala pussila, a very diminuitive variety of Rotala. I suspect that these cuttings will get noticeably larger in time, but the leaf structure is one of the finest I've ever seen in the Rotala genus.



This is Murdannia keisak native to the American Southeast and likely gathered wild by my friend. It seems extremely hearty and is showing signs of fast growth. It is known as "Wart Remover Herb" by midwives, so I figure I've got that going for me if I ever need it :P



The next plant pictured is Eriocaulon cinerum and is the one I know the least about. My specimens are currently extremely small and not showing signs of fast growth. You can see the central stems that these plants have put up. I suspect that they are seedpods of some sort because of the small bulbs at the top, but can't say this with any certainty.



The last plant pictured is probably my favorite of this group. It is Rotala indica v. "Colorata". The colors are incredible and should only get better as these small stems mature. The second photo shows the same plant from directly above. Incredible coloration






Well that's all I've got right now but I'm always getting a few new and interesting plants every month and I will try to post some pictures of them as they arrive.

[tetrin]

nice specimens travis. the rotala pussila and indica seem to be to be taking off...
thanks for sharing. i doubt i'll be of any help when i comes to maintaining them .

[PsiPro]

Wow they look great. Did they all come from cuttings or are some transplants?

[travis simonson]

All except the E. cinerum are stem plants from cuttings. The E. cinerum is propagated though some kind of rhizome division (as far as I understand it). I just love to watch new plants develop

[Scottm]

as always those look great. The cryptocoryn spiralis you sent me look great they are growing and filling out nicely. Once again a huge thankyou and always keep it up. Seeing someone as successful as you at this really helps me stay motivated.

[czcz]

Agreed -- very inspiring and interesting, Travis. Please show how they grow.

[b4tn]

I am very jealous! Those are incredible looking! unfortunately I am limited in what plants I can get to only common plants and 90% of them are background plants. Its difficult finding foreground and mid tank placement plants here. I wonder if plants will survive a 7 day USPS priority trip from the U.S. Germany? Or if its even legal

I have to ask you about your lighting though? Is that by chance [acronym:19c0a7a690="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:19c0a7a690]? I had [acronym:19c0a7a690="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:19c0a7a690] on my reef and it seems so much more clear and brilliant than the [acronym:19c0a7a690="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:19c0a7a690] Lights I have now. I am considering getting a [acronym:19c0a7a690="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:19c0a7a690] setup instead.

[travis simonson]

It's standard [acronym:4ddbf0740d="Compact Flourescent"]CF[/acronym:4ddbf0740d] lighting: a mix of 6700K, 10000K, and actinic420. I really like the way it brings out colors.

[malkore]

Trav,
you are running open top/no glass right? I've found this works so much better than having glass in there, which gets too dirty and starts blocking light.

[travis simonson]

I agree that the glass just causes problems with light transmission and wish I could get rid of it but I'd have jumpers daily. My Africans get so rowdy that I hear them hitting the lid all the time. I'm surprised they don't get concussions :P Just cleaning the tank I have to make sure to keep the lids closed because more than once I've had to rescue a fish from the carpet when I left them open. I've even had them jump out at feeding time.