(Utricularia grammifolia) UG and EI dosing

plantbrain

AC Members
Apr 27, 2001
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Davis, CA
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Several folks have stated that UG prefers low nutrients and acidic water.

This is what it looks like with rich ferts(EI dosing) and higher GH(about 3-4).


UGoct26.jpg
 
Was just curious. I know that Neps and Sarrs, for instance, don't produce pitchers when over-fertilized and was wondering if Utrics were the same.

I have not found that the other species in the genus care much.........I've grown them all at break neck rates without any issues towards the bladders, they all had plenty.
Why produce an organ for nutrient capture if you do not need it to meet the nutrient demand? Plants seem smart enough.
Some, not so smart and will produce them anyway.

Just in case the nutrients change, as they often do seasonally.
 
curious, tom. do you have a theory on why other folks have to lower their nutrient levels to grow UG?
 
curious, tom. do you have a theory on why other folks have to lower their nutrient levels to grow UG?

Likely a CO2 issue.

As is the case with all folks who seem to believe excess nutrients/ferts = algae and poor growth in plants.
I've dispelled and proven this myth for close to 2 decades now, but it still persist strongly.
If that was the case, why doesn't my tank/tanks over the last 20 years with the high nutrients, lack algae issues and I grow these hard to grow plants with such ease?

Liebig's law is used in agriculture and should be applied here.
And it's also true that if CO2 is limiting, then you make say PO4 more limiting than CO2, this takes the stress off of CO2 supply/demand, which tends to be more critical.

The problem is not excess ferts. The problem is poor CO2 management and use.
In submersed culture, CO2 and light must also be included in Liebig Law of the minimum.

Many CP folks also have their own culture of of myths regarding bladderworts and aquatics, then tend to do poorly with them in horticulture.

UG curiously...........grows very well in emergent hydroponic culture. Same with another CO2 issue weed: HC and a dozen of others, because in emergent culture, there's no CO2 limitation.
We can crank the nutrients well above the typical ppm in aquariums and see they grow quite well.

Go figure.
 
I love that stuff! Looks great, thanks for AGAIN sharing an eye opening discovery with us.
 
Well, it's just a documented case where both rich sediment and rich water column dosing what? Grow all species of wimpy hard to grow plants and grow them together very well, makes for easy management in gardening and excellent health, including 500-1000 fire red shrimp.

I honestly have not seen many larger long term tanks using UG much.

I have not yet tried mowing it like hair grass or gloss etc, but that will happen at some point.
 
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