Who ever knew finding plants would be so hard?!

C

chkltcow

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Jul 13, 2004
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Stanley, NC
www.baneverything.org
As of today, I have exhausted every LFS I know of without driving into Charlotte (I hate Charlotte). It seems that none of them carry any plants worth a crap :( The local fish store was amazed that I knew scientific names, but the only thing they usually stock are amazon swords. I had her order me some cryptocoryne wendtii red, and some anubias nana... but that's all they can get from their supplier.

Is java moss really that rare? What about other varieties of crypts? The only things I have now are things I picked up from Petsmart like watersprite, a crypt. ciliata, a crypt. wendtii, and a crypt lutea... and the girl said they usually don't even have those..... and a few java ferns from another LFS. Is java moss really that rare? What about dwarf hairgrass? Nana? Sag? ANYTHING? Am I gonna have to just order it online and pay ridiculous shipping charges since my LFS's don't seem to get it?

Or what about this idea? Should I put together some flyers and "care sheets" for various plants for the lady that owns the store that's ordering the nana and wendtii for me? Maybe it'll serve the dual purpose of helping out her customers, and assuring I can have a local supplier of this type of stuff when I need it because she'll have a better idea about what plants are what. She really knows here saltwater stuff and has 3 GORGEOUS reef tanks, but I'm not sure how knowledgable she is when it comes to freshwater and plants.

Pardon the rambling, I'm just getting frustrated trying to find what are supposed to be "simple" plants :P
 
I know what you mean.

I have never been able to find java moss anywhere around here, nor have I heard of anyone having it.

I used to get plants at Petsmart waaay back, before we got a BigAl's, but I got tired of snail infested, algae-laden plants, among other things.

Cryptocoryne species are limited to about three species in my area, like C. wendtii "Mi Oya", C. willisi, and C. wendtii "Green".

At least you live in the US. 90% of the online plant ordering sites don't ship to Canada without a huge certification fee and shipping charges. There is one in Ottawa but he is so irresponsible and is always waiting for and overseas shipment, it's a wonder he can pay for his website.

The "care sheets" sound like a good idea. It will help her become more knowledgeable on the subject of plants and you will get a supplier of some of the plants you need.

I guess I'm guilty of rambling too, but this is my first post in months, so I will go:p.

Graeme
 
I am really suprised you can't get any Java Moss. That stuff comes almost free even if you don't want it. I'm sure someone here would be willing to send you a piece. I would, but I am using all of mine to establish 2 new tanks.

I do know what you mean about not finding the 'common' plants though. One would think that H. polysperma should be available everywhere, but it isn't.
 
Originally posted by Torf
I am really suprised you can't get any Java Moss. That stuff comes almost free even if you don't want it. I'm sure someone here would be willing to send you a piece. I would, but I am using all of mine to establish 2 new tanks.

I do know what you mean about not finding the 'common' plants though. One would think that H. polysperma should be available everywhere, but it isn't.
Click to expand...

Exactly... you'd think that "hard to kill" plants like Java fern, java moss, nana, etc would be available from most any pet store.... but the only thing I've seen with any regularity is store with red ludwiga... and Petsmart always has amazon swords. Beyond that.... it's very hit & miss. I managed to luck out with just about everything I have now, having bought the watersprite and crypts at Petsmart.... and never having seen them again.... and picking up the few pieces of java fern at the place that I said carries red ludwiga. I think if we could educate some of these LFS's about what types of plants are easy to take care of, easy to grow, and not demanding about light... they could stock them and provide help for others that are looking for something other than silk plants. Everybody seems to know their fish, but none know plants.
 
chkltcow- when I am pruning the plants in my tank I literally throw out at least a gallon sized bag of vallisenerias (jungle- I think?) and pygmy chain swords each time. I would be more than happy to mail a box to you. Might even scare up an algae covered Anubias or two from my Goldfish tank.
I just pruned last week so it would probably be another two before I do it again, but you're welcome to them. I do see a nuisance snail from time to time, so hitch hikers would be a distinct possibility.

Don't feel obligated if they aren't what you're looking for- they're just what has done best for my low light/low tech tank. Most of my stock came from Aquabid.
PM me if you're interested.
 
Local club! AGA!

You need to locate the local fish club. That will get you hooked up to other planted tank people. I know that Charlotte has a group, some of the AGA people are from there or near there I think.

Also, join AGA (tell them Anonapersona sent you -- I get points for referrals) and ask about folks who live in your area that have plants to sell or trimmings for free.
 
Originally posted by Cearbhaill
chkltcow- when I am pruning the plants in my tank I literally throw out at least a gallon sized bag of vallisenerias (jungle- I think?) and pygmy chain swords each time. I would be more than happy to mail a box to you.

PM me if you're interested.
Click to expand...

I'm interested if CHK isn't. I can't get enough PCS.

I'll PM you now....
 
I am really suprised you can't get any Java Moss. That stuff comes almost free even if you don't want it. I'm sure someone here would be willing to send you a piece. I would, but I am using all of mine to establish 2 new tanks.
Click to expand...

I don't know if it's true or not.... but I heard that quite a few states are trying to get it banned. I guess a little research is in order on that one.
 
what part of NC do you live in up here in asheville 2 shops have java moss and other plants that some mention here as commons. Mostly good prices too.
 
I would love to get some pygmy chain swords sometime those seem to be hard to find round here. Trying to find plants that are short enough for a 20 long tank seems to be the hard part here.
 
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