Plants Don't Last Forever Do They

[pnphappy]

Boy do I need to learn about taking care of plants. Several years ago in my five gallon aquarium, I had a moneyworth in there. Over the period of a week, it disintegrated into brown chucks and eventually dissappeared. Since then, I never though of raising plants again so in my 20 gallon, the bottom is nothing but medium sized rocks. I'm sure Java Moss is a good fit, but my local store sells nothing but Swords, grass, Moneyworths, and Anubias. But then again, the last time I checked they were almost out of plants.

I have a question about the Anubia. At the store, the leaves are brown on the edges. I read that when this happens, remove those leaves. However, almost all of the leaves are brownish somewhere. Do I just remove all the leaves? All the Anubias looked that way. Thanks.

[hungryhound]

I have a question about the Anubia. At the store, the leaves are brown on the edges. I read that when this happens, remove those leaves. However, almost all of the leaves are brownish somewhere. Do I just remove all the leaves? All the Anubias looked that way. Thanks.

My first suggestion would be not to buy a dieing or diseased plant. If you do buy one do not cut the leaves off, as the plant needs the leaves to undergo photosynthesis to create the energy necessary to create new healthy leaves.

That's good to hear that they should last some time. I just thought that they would last "forever" like Mums or roses. Anyhow, thanks.

Keep in mind that even your mums or roses will eventually dies, but through seeds and asexual reproduction (aka off-shots) descendants of the original plants live on. The same thing applies to aquatic plants. If you provide the plants that you choose with the necessary light and nutrients you will have more plants in your aquarium than you will know what to do with.

[pnphappy]

I'll look for the better plants in the selection, but that really depends on what the store has instock. The plants tell have do not get sold very often and can be in the tank for at least a year or more.

[Lady Hobbs]

It doesn't matter what kind of plants you get, all will need some maintence. Dead area's cut off, trimming if they get too tall and fertilizers needed.

I don't have the lights I need right now on my 55 gallon and constantly am moving lights about to get more on the plants. Not a big variety on the low light ones and they are generally the slow growers, as well.

[pnphappy]

I'm aware of caring for the plants :) . It's just that the store does not and all of their plants are decaying. Slow growing plants are exactly what I am after, but not plants that are half dead when I purchase them :( .

[hungryhound]

one place to check out is http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ swap and shop. (you have to register to view the swap and shop but it is worth it).usually you can get some good deals, and shipping is much more reasonable. 4.60 for USPS priority 2 day.

[pnphappy]

I may try that, but i have never purchased livestock online before and am not really confortable trying it.

Thanks though.