Aldrovanda

[ChilDawg]

Anyone out there kept Aldrovanda spp. plants? Can you keep them in the aquarium setting? (I don't think so, but I'm curious to know if anyone's ever pulled it off...)

TIA,

Matthew

[plantbrain]

C-
I'm likely the only one that keeps this plant. Yes you can keep them in tanks.
Treat like Bladderworts.
Threre's a research station in VA that sells them, Meadowview(?) Biological Research Station, Vicksburg(?) VA. They are mainly into Pitcher plants(very cool Car. plants) but also sell the turions for Aldrovandra. Some of the older aquatic books have some background info on this plant.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[ChilDawg]

Thanks, Tom!

I'm wondering--do you have trouble keeping them alive? I hear that algae and other things kill them quickly, and that they don't stay alive all that long anyway. Thanks for the help again!

~Matthew

[plantbrain]

I've had mine for about a year. I tried to get a red Aussy version but the Turions were small and I likely tossed it out when doing a trim by accident.
But once they get going they grow like any other plant.
They are floaters, so slow/no surface movement etc. They really don't get algae as far as I can tell. The traps get fairly decent sized.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[ChilDawg]

So, are they fish tank material?

Also, what were you feeding yours? I hear Daphnia is great, but I don't know if anything else is better for them!

[plantbrain]

I've had mine for about a year. I tried to get a red Aussy version but the Turions were small and I likely tossed it out when doing a trim by accident.
But once they get going they grow like any other plant.
They are floaters, so slow/no surface movement etc. They really don't get algae as far as I can tell. The traps get fairly decent sized.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[aquatic-store]

Generally, Aldrovanda requires warm and clean brownish water with a low mineral nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) concentration but a high C02 concentration, sufficient prey, and enough light. I cultivate it in a plastic container ( 1 m2; Figures 2 & 3) but a small garden water lily pool can also be used. The cultivation technique very much resembles that described by Hanabusa (1974) and reminds me of the character of the species' richest natural habitats in Europe. The suitable substrate must be rich in organic matter but poor in mineral nutrients. A thin layer (ca. 0.5 cm) of brown mud from a swamp or gardener's peat placed on the container bottom is topped by a 6-8 cm layer of washed sand or gravel. The thin layer of mud or peat on the bottom is not necessary and only supports the growth of emergent vegetation. Small plants of common reed and the sedges Carex rostrata or C. gracilis were loosely planted in the sand. The plants affect the cultivation medium like added litter and moderate light. Litter from those sedges is the best substrate; litter of other sedges or common reed may also be used. This litter has similar properties as rice straw, widely used by the above authors. An optimum litter layer is 2-3 cm thick. New litter should be dipped in warm water for several hours to wash out excessive tannins. The litter is a key component for Aldrovanda cultivation: it decomposes slowly, continuously releasing humic acids and tannins which are necessary for its growth and development and partly checks the growth of filamentous algae. Furthermore, the litter gradually releases mineral nutrients and CO2 by its decomposition and keeps the pH between 6.8-7.4.

marc
Http://www.Aquatic-store.com

Co2, Plants, Substrate, Filters, Heaters, UV and more

[ChilDawg]

Thanks, Marc and Tom! I might have to go out and get some Waterwheels this summer!