View Full Version : Anyone have experience with Ophiopogon japonicum (mondo grass)?
I just wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with Ophiopogon japonicum (mondo grass). I have seen it in a few LFSs but have not seen much info about it on many websites or in books. I saw a bit of info on the Dennerle website (http://www.dennerle.de/) but that is about it. I am concerned that maybe it is not a "true" aquatic plant. :( Does anyone know anything about it?
If not, does anyone have any suggestions for a good foreground, low light level tolerant plant? I am looking for something grass-like? Maybe some sag?
Thanks for any tips or info! :cool:
Faramir
02-10-2003, 2:08 AM
I asked this question a few weeks ago. Ophiopogon is not an aquatic plant. Mine didn't do at all well, and I have moved it to a paludarium where it is no longer falling to bits. Is it Tom Barr who managed to get it to grow for a year?
I would not recommend it.
You might try the chain sword plant (E. tenuis IIRC) or Anubias. There are much better plant types than me on here though.
I found your previous thread about this plant. Thanks for the advice -- I will steer clear! Now if I can just FIND a sag or micro sword...
Any of the Micro Swords are nice. Especially if you have a low light tank.
Len
Hmmm... Never tried any Lilaeopsis, but I've heard that under low light conditions, they tend to get sort of tall and don't grow in very densely. As with most plants, you may get decent results with CO2 injection. Again, I've never tried this, either, but how 'bout Blyxa japonica? It may be difficult to find, depending on where you live, but it sort of has that "tufty" look. On the other hand, it may get too tall.
Under low-light conditions, I'd second the Anubias vote. The shop where I get my plants and fish from is supposed to start selling something called Anubias nana 'petite' in the near-future. They're really a dwarfed variety of A. nana and the leaves are all about the size of one's pinky nail. At $20/plant, it's gonna hurt my wallet, but it'll be worth it, I'm sure.
Another interesting foreground plant I recently started trying is Elatine triandra. It actually fares better under moderate lighting. It truly is a low-grower. It's a weak competitor for nitrates, however, and may not flourish well in a nitrate-limited tank with very nitrate-greedy plants.