Lobelia cardinalis small form "dwarf"

Robert H

Aspiring Guru
lobelia_2.jpg



Lobelia cardinalis, dwarf or small form. The wild or pond Lobelia is much too big for the aquarium. There are two "dwarf" variations for aquariums. When grown underwater the plants lose all their purple/red coloring and turn light green.

The dwarf form is grown in the USA by Florida Aquatic Nurseries and can reach a height of 8 to 12". This is the common one. A not so common one pictured above is the "small form" variety imported from the Orient. It reaches a maximum height of about 4" and has more round shaped leaves.
I am only one of a handfull of people importing this plant ino the USA, and I have it for $3.79 per bunch.

Here is a detailed article about this plant written by Erik:

http://www.e-aquaria.com/des_lobelia.html

Here is what the regular dwarf looks like full grown:

lobelia_2.jpg


Best regards

Robert
 
THAT is impressive! :thud:
 
Robert H said:
Here is what the regular dwarf looks like full grown:
lobelia_2.jpg

Well, now you have to tell us what kind of conditions that plant was grown under. Because in the last 1.5 years, not ONE of my lobelia dwarfs has grown that large.

Tell me, I MUST KNOW. Seriously. And I know I have the right plants, because I got them from you. :)

::edit:: Urf. My bad, I should read a little more closely next time, the plants I received from you are the lobelia in the first picture. I would like to add that the round-leaf dwarf lobelia WILL get larger than 4" tho, 6-8" is the average max height in my tanks. They don't grow trunks like that second pic tho.
 
Last edited:
Not to rain on your parade Robert H., but the site says Lobelia cardinalis are sold out. I see why!

Constructive criticism (or ignorance on my part?)...
Looking at the terms and info, I see two things that thwarted me from ordering from aquabotanic. 1- the shipping isn't calculated when ordering. One must look it up. This isn't a big deal, the link is provided, but I'd rather not have to deal with it. Call me lazy. 2- up to 10% of the order may be substituted with different plants...period. It doesn't matter to me (and obviously this is my opinion) that the substitute plants are equal or greater value. When I order plants, it's because I have a particular set-up in mind and I don't want to have something substituted without prior knowledge and consent. It isn't clear that aquabotanic contacts a buyer before doing this and I imagine with the high volume of sales it would be a bit of inconvenience.

This isn't meant to be a bashing reply. I have only heard good things about aquabotanic. Just constructive criticism from my personal viewpoint. :)
 
WEll the shipping part is something I have thought about, thought about and thought about.... there is just not any accurate way for the software to calculate shipping. I have considered just charging a flate rate for shipping of plants, but I can not do it because of all the other non plant stuff I sell.

So, you just have to trust me. On average plant orders cost between 14 and 18 dollars depending on weight, size of the box, and and what zone you are in for 2 day delivery. I am not the only one that does this either. Several of my competitors do not show the shipping charges in the total, and have higher box and handling fees. I use UPS, not the post office. Little guys use the post office, I couldn't fit all my orders in my car, and I am not going to buy a truck just to go to the post office, plus UPS guarantees the arrival date.

I try and keep substitutes at an absolute minimum. In some cases I simply hold the order if I know I have the plants coming in, but if you do not want substitutes, all you have to do is say so in the note section, and then I just deduct it from your bill and only send you what I have.

It is sold out right now, but I may have more coming! The Cryp retrospiralis I have now are amazing looking. Leaves are over 20" long, very healthy plants with well established root systems. Retrospiralis is a thinner leaf version of balansae.

Beviking, you should come visit my forums, The AllWet Thumb. Len posts there once in a while. You will probably recognize a few other people too.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply Robert!
I had a feeling your substitutes were minimal, I guess it's the wording that makes it seem like an absolute. If all it takes is a note for no subs that's excellent! Though ignorance on my part (not knowing similar plants to what I'd like) leads me to order from where I can get all the plants I want.
Yes, I know others do not show s/h charges AND charge higher box/foam fees.
Funny, I've visited the site MANY times but have yet to check the forums. I need more time in the day.:) Or, I'll have to make time...thanks!
I think I will place my next order in your hands Robert. I can't say when but possibly next arrival of dwarf Lobelia.

Bill
 
Here is the direct link to my forums if you can not find it! :p
http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.cc/eve

We will have over 3000 worldwide members by next month. It is unlike any other vendor sponsored forum, it stands on it's own merrits without bias from it's commercial sponsorship, in fact I was the first online vendor of aquarium plants to offer a discussion forum. We are the original! Hey, we even have Diana Walstad as a moderator, the author of Ecology of the planted Aquarium. She is a speaker in the upcoming AGA convention, and does not participate in ANY other online forum, not even AGA's forum!

But enough self promotion... :dance
 
You have Diana Walstad as a moderator and you're trying to get me, a fish farmer, to participate in the exclusive, original, wetthumb forum?:eek: I feel like a mouse being lured into the lions den. :thud: Well, o.k., if you really have Diana there then maybe I can find the time to at least check it out :p

Oh, one last question...then why are you here? ;)
 
That is very commendable. Especially the part about bugging Mr. R.! :D
 
AquariaCentral.com