dwarf sagitaria vs. pygmy chain sword

[aquaboy]

i'm relatively new to plants and I picked up some dwarf sagitaria (sp?) from a lfs b/c i was told it was easier to keep than pygmy chain sword. However, it has not taken very well and i was wondering if i accidently picked up the pygmy chain sword instead . What's the difference between the two.

I have a 55watt CF over a 33 gallon tank...is that sufficient for dwarf sagitaria?

thanx

 

[Swimfins]

Its sagitaria subulata (pygmy chain sword) I just discovered what it is. Easiest to grow under your light. Mine did well under 2 watt per gallon.
I just discovered its what I have too and it spreads quite easily.
I'm pretty sure this is what's known as pygmy chain sword.



http://192.38.244.204/plant_print.asp

 

[ergo sum]

Some times pigmy chain sword is echinodoras tenellus. And sometimes people use that name to refer to lillaeopsis.

I don't understand the abbreviations around here. CF? Is that compact fluorescent? I would think that was enough. Try some substrate fertilization.

How long have you had it?

 

[Lazonby]

Sagitaria subulata is just that. There aren't any nicknames I know of other than "dwarf sag."

Echinodorus tenellus is often referred to as "pygmy chain sword" or simply "chain sword." There is a narrow leafed version, but it's kind of rare, and somewhat difficult to distinguish from the regular chain sword. The chances of you actually getting it by "accident" is very rare.

Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae is what is referred to as "microsword." This plant is much harder to grow than the sag & tenellus. I don't recommend this for someone looking for an easy to grow foreground. It's also a slow grower.


Sag & tenellus can be hard to distinguish, but tenellus should stay a little shorter, but both will grow rather tall in low light (<2.0wpg).

In any case aquaboy, you have enough light to grow either sag or tenellus. They may grow a little taller (4-5" would be my guess), but they will grow. The rate of propagation will be slower as well. Lighting helps speed this up, and a combo of light, nutrients, & CO2 will allow both plants to grow like mad. I think tenellus is the faster grower of the two.

 

[tanker]

I have both E. Tenellus and dwarf sag and I think they are both about the same to grow. The Tenellus grows just a little taller and the grow more dense. The dwarf sag spreads faster and grow everywhere.

I do not think you have enough light though at 55w. Your plants may live but not trive.

 

[Captain Hook]

Sag & tenellus can be hard to distinguish, but tenellus should stay a little shorter, but both will grow rather tall in low light (<2.0wpg).

In any case aquaboy, you have enough light to grow either sag or tenellus.

I disagree with the first point. I've grown dwarf sags in 1.6 wpg and they stayed very small and short, few inches off substrate at most. I agree that if that if it's dwarf sag you have there is definitely enough light. You can try buying some Jobes fertilizer sticks for lush ferns and palms. They're only about a buck at wal-mart, stick them deep in the substrate if you use them.

 

[WinterWind]

Dwarf sag is listed under "moderate" ligthing on plantgeek.net I would venture to say that those suggestions are quite ambigious b/c it also depends on the water conditions and depth and size of your tank. I'd say anything around 2 wpg is sufficient to grow dwarf sag, since that is about moderate low lighting.

Anyways, I just got some dwarf sag from a member of plantedtank.net. They're in OK condition now but I hope they will grow well!

BTW, how fast do these plants spread? I just added some and I am wondering how long it will take to cover my foreground.