Red Tiger Lotus

[PikeLee]

I’ve did a search on the Red Tiger Lotus, and have found nothing on how to propogate this plant. Anyone know of how to do this?

Also, I have no really problem with growing this plant at all…In my 30g that is. My 30g as CO2 (yeast) and high lighting. I’m thinking of transferring this plant to my 90g that has 160W (1.8wpg) and no CO2. Anyone have good success with this plant with that kind of lighting? I think my 90g needs something to spice it up a bit.

Thanks.

[125gJoe]

Mine started from what appeared to be a small bulb. I think I have a "runner" coming off the main plant! Here's few pics of the Lotus I have...

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1597696/33488489.jpg
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1597696/33488479.jpg

This one was taken during a water change. You can see how much of the surface can be covered. We prune ours so it won't shade the tank too much.
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1597696/33488494.jpg

The Discus looks good with that plant as a backdrop.... :)
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1597696/31297037.jpg

The plant seems just fine with high water temps of 84F to 86F....

[PikeLee]

Nice Pictures. Your lotus is coming out really nice and your discuses are gorgeous. My lotus isn’t as big, but the coloration of mine gets really sweet.

But I’m still unsure on how to propagate it. I tried digging it up, and I was about to cut off some of the plant and the root. But it didn’t look like it would survive if I did such a thing. I figured if that worked, I could put one part in my 90g to see how it goes, and keep the other one in my 30g growing with no problem.

But since I was not able to propagate it, I’m stuck with my only red tiger lotus. And I don’t want to take the chance of having it die since it’s growing so nicely.

So anyone with answers on the propagation and the light factor (1.8wpg) would help out big time.

Also, if your lotus is getting too big. I hear if you clip off all the leaves, it will start to sprout out smaller ones again.

Thanks again.

[125gJoe]

Seems like it's 'runner's..... I looked more closely and mine has 2 runners.

Here's a link: PlantGeeks (http://www.plantgeek.net/red_tiger_lotus.htm)
They say "runners."

[djlen]

The light will be ok. The red might lessen with less light.
The plant will not grow as quickly without CO2.
Propagation is from runners. Be patient.....they are usually prolific. BTW, more prolific WITH CO2.

Len

[The Gipper]

80gal,
How do you have your two canister filters positioned (intakes and returns)

Do you hvaa a surface scum problem?

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by The Gipper
80gal,
How do you have your two canister filters positioned (intakes and returns)
Do you hvaa a surface scum problem? I don't have a surface scum problem.
The two canisters I run have the intakes off towards the sides - not in the corners though.. More than half way down the tank.
From that one picture, you can see the top of the tank open and see both returns. The horizontal return is on the left (Filstar x-P3), and the Fluval 404 on the right.

[odessa]

I have twelve daughter tiger lotus off of one mother plant. The trick is to leave them alone and the new plantlets will grow from the top of the mother plants bulb. They will form a small bulb of their own just wait until the plantlet has three or four good size leaves then pluck form the mother plant and plant it. I dont think they will form new plants if they are being trimmed constantly. Also when they get really big they can be pulled up and divided much like crypt sp. It will be obvious that they are at least two separate plants in the root system.

[PikeLee]

djlen & odessa,

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. I guess I'll just leave mine alone for now since it's doing well in my 30g. I'll just wait for a daughter plant and then add it to my 90g.

I had thought my plant was big enough to split it like a crypt, but when I dug it out I guess I was wrong.

If I do transfer it to my 90g at a later time. The speed of it's growth isn't really a factor to me. None of my plants grow fast in that tank (refer to Profile). I just want it to grow nice with no algae.

Things go really quick in my 30g (CO2/High light) and I don't think I have the time like that for my 90g.

Thanks again guys. I knew I can find some good replies from over here.

[Captain Hook]

That is a very nice plant. I really like the color of it. It looks like it will be pretty big for me because I only want to set up a 20 gallon planted tank. I don't mean to change the subject of the thread or anything but are there any other nice red plants you guys could recommned for a beginner?

[Robert H]

It propogated by runners and the bulb will continually produce new plants. If your plant came with the bulb, you can separate the plant from the bulb, and the bulb will grow another plant. If you have no bulb, you have to wait for it to produce runners.

The plant grows to be massive if you have good light. It is a very heavy root feeder, and adding nitrogen to the roots will really excellerate its growth. This is what people do with pond lillies. Its roots suck up nitrogen which promotes massive root growth and runners.

[PikeLee]

I guess I'm going to have to buy some Root tabs. I'm not using anything in particular as the subtrate. Just sand and Profile. I wasn't going to buy anything for this tank, but since most of you guys are mentioning that it's a heavy bottom feeder, I guess I gotta give it something.

My plant is growing really nice. Excellent coloration. Decent size. But I had it for several months now and I want it to propogate. It didn't come with the bulb. So I'll just feed it from below. And hope for the runners to come out.

Guess that the regular fertilization with the extra kick of iron wasn't the key.

Thanks again.

[somefinnfishy]

I just let the plant take off from the bulb then snip the bulb away and it regrows a new one from the bulb again.

[PikeLee]

I just wanted to give you all an update, since you guys were kind enough to reply to my questions.

I put in a root tab about 2 weeks ago and I got a runner already. And it also looks like that little runner is in the middle of sending something else out. I guess I'll be able to test out one of these guys in my 90g now w/o risk of losing an only plant.

Thanks again guys.