I am new to planted aquariums and just getting tanks set up. My first tank is a 30 gallon tall. One of the first plants I put in is a Jungle red val and I set it at in a rear corner. The tank is 4 weeks old now and one leaf of the val has grown to the surface of the water and completely across the tank. The full length of the leaf is about 48". Another leaf reached the top of the water and is heading in the same direction of its big brother. It doesn't seem that anyone would want a 4 foot plant in a home aquarium. I didn't realize the plant would get so big. Are there other Vals that have growth that is more proportional to the height of an aquarium?
Jungle Red Valisnerium
- Thread starter LeonPez
- Start date
In general vals are very tall plants and there are some species that are able to grow 6 or more feet long. However species like spiral vals tend to stay smaller. I have a group that is about 24 inches tall. I expect them to get a little taller but never to 4 feet.
hth
hth
Razzle, Thanks, Sounds like to get the look that I am after I should stay away from Vals. I don't like the look of plants growing horizontally across the top of the water. I don't care for the look of most plants that just lay under the surface of the water either. It seems that most plants have a diminutive form. Maybe someone should start breeding Vals and selecting for dwarf forms.
CoPathfindin,
Thanks, I have been thinking I might try that. I assume the blades I cut will not grow again but I will have to continue cutting blades as they are sent up.
Royws3,
I just bought 2 Corkscrew Vals tonight. I hope they do stay in bounds a little better.
In fact tonight along with the Vals I also purchased Cryptocoryne retrospiralis, Cryptocoryne wendtii, Red Rubin Sword, Dwarf Sagitteria and Regular Sagitteria. I am not sure which species that last one is. Does anyone know which Sag would be considered 'regular'. The pet shop that has plants available here isn't very good on taxonomy.
Also, the other night I bought a Barclaya longifolia. I am pretty excited about that plant. I hope it grows well for me. The photos of mature plants really look good.
Thanks, I have been thinking I might try that. I assume the blades I cut will not grow again but I will have to continue cutting blades as they are sent up.
Royws3,
I just bought 2 Corkscrew Vals tonight. I hope they do stay in bounds a little better.
In fact tonight along with the Vals I also purchased Cryptocoryne retrospiralis, Cryptocoryne wendtii, Red Rubin Sword, Dwarf Sagitteria and Regular Sagitteria. I am not sure which species that last one is. Does anyone know which Sag would be considered 'regular'. The pet shop that has plants available here isn't very good on taxonomy.
Also, the other night I bought a Barclaya longifolia. I am pretty excited about that plant. I hope it grows well for me. The photos of mature plants really look good.
Cutting vals will result in that blade slowing rotting away. As for the Sag, you most likely have two of the same species. Dwarf Sag is a dwarf version (~4 inches) of the more common Sagittaria sublata which can get about 12 inches. You could have Sagittaria platyphylla but I doubt it since it is not a very common species.
HTH and good luck with the plants!
HTH and good luck with the plants!
you should try to sell it or at least give it away in the classifieds. I'm sure someone would pay shipping for a nice Val(s) like that