Growing not immersed?

[captmicha]

So, some of you guys grow aquatic plants without immersing them for faster propagation and sale. I don't really care about selling any plants and I know they take time to adjust once you immerse them in your tank. Anyways, what's the method called? I'd like to speed up the propagation of some of my plants this way for setting up other tanks.

 

[tanker]

Hydroponics.

 

[platytudes]

Are you talking about the dry start method? Don't quote me on this, but I think Tom Barr is credited with having invented it.

 

[THE V]

No Tom didn't invent it, mother nature did. Many of the plants that we use in aquaria in nature can be found in marsh/bog areas. This means that as the seasons change and water levels raise and lower with the rain the plants grow both emersed and dry.

The dry start method takes advantage of this to establish plants faster.

 

[67chevelle]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the dry start method if often used for carpeting plants. HC and Glosso will carpet the bottom of a tank much faster this way. Like THE V said, many of the plants we use are not underwater all of the time. This is why high lights, CO2, and lots of fets are needed to keep them alive.

 

[platytudes]

Right...noticed I said "credited with"

 

[captmicha]

Dry start! Thanks. Now I have a term to Google.

 

[f1sleepy]

I'm currently using the dry start method for glosso and dwarf hair grass. The glosso is growing quite well, but the hair grass growth is marginal. I am quite pleased with the glosso growth and will definitely use the DSM again for all future tanks, it's just so convenient.

 

[jetajockey]

Are you talking about growing emersed? I have don ea few dry starts and I like them best because the plants fill in faster. Check out the link in my sig, I have a greenhouse setup that is growing aquatic plants above water (and some below).