Roots from Walmart plant bulbs

[amy]

I've got 2 of the Walmart bulbs growing in my tank. They are the only live plants in there. The remaining "plants" are plastic and silk.

When I do my water changes, I do a deep gravel vaccuming on all of the tank except for right around the bulbs. I don't bother vacuuming anything in that area. Lately, I think I've been vacuuming up roots so I think the roots are spreading.

Does anyone know how far the roots will spread for the bulbs? Is there a recommended radius around the bulbs that I should avoid when vacuuming?

Thanks!

[odessa]

I think the roots will spread as long as the plants are growing.As long as the plants are showing good healthy growth I wouldn't worry about damaging a few roots here an there. I've actually pruned roots on some plants that were taking over the the tank. I wouldn't vacuuming to close to plants and when cleaning nearby just vacuuming lightly.

[Weasel6]

What kind of plants were they you bought? I bought a pack of Apongenton (sp) last week and planted them and I haven't seen squat yet. Nothing at all. Just wondering if it was me and my tank or if their plants fall into the same catagory as their fish, Don't buy them at Wal-Mart.

[amy]

Mine were in a blisterpack labelled something like "dwarf hybrid lily". They are some kind of apogenton bulbs.

Of the 4 bulbs that in the pack, 2 sprouted by the end of a week. The other two started growing a fungus so I threw them out at 2 weeks. Other people have also reported finding dud bulbs in the Walmart packs; there's an address on the packaging to where you can send the bad ones and get replacements. I didn't try that but other's have with mixed results. So even though you may have planted them correctly (burying them is a no-no), it really doesn't surprise me that you do have some bad bulbs.

[br553]

I've also found that water temp (low to mid 70's) can have a big impact on growth rate. Also when you buy these walmart bulbs, look for ones that have a dark brown to reddish brown color to them as well as ones that are not shriviled and grayish in appearance. I usually have better results when use this method.

[webcricket]

I recently bought a pack of the aponogeton bulbs from there. I sprouted them outside the tank in a glass vase under a 15 watt light bulb, and they took about a week to show any signs of life. Only 4 out of the 7 bulbs sprouted, the rest rotted or molded (which made me glad I started them out of the tank).

[skeletonhand]

I bought some of those plants about a year ago for my 10g and only had one of the three or four actually grow. I haven't picked up any since. And3 weeks ago i noticed that it must have grown bulbous or apomictic seedlings because I have 2 more growing! Kinda odd if you ask me.