Heavy root feeders

[Soilwork]

Why do people say crypts and swords are HEAVY root feeders. Is there any reliable sources that have proven the accuracy of such a statement?

Surely swords and crypts have been grown just fine in sand or gravel with EI dosing?

Thanks

 

[sciencefiction]

Surely swords and crypts have been grown just fine in sand or gravel with EI dosing?

When I unplanted an old large crypt, it's roots were as long as the 60cm length of the tank. I am not sure the term "heavy root feeders" is correct. The idea is that the big root systems keep the substrate oxygenated. Whether they feed better from the roots or leaves is another question but with that sort of root system you're almost inclined to believe they are "heavy root feeders"

 

[Soilwork]

You I'm sorry, you didn't state your substrate. I'm inclined to agree with you. I have kept swords and crypts in soil and have noticed how large their roots systems can get. It would of course make sense that these plants fed heavily via their roots but in order to quell regurgitated statements regarding this subject I'd like to see (if there are any) some documented experiments to back these claims up.

 

[sciencefiction]

Sorry, the substrate was plain sand.

 

[Soilwork]

Thanks. Did you use root tabs or anything like that? Column fertilisers?

 

[sciencefiction]

No, I didn't but the sand is/was very old and grows crypts like crazy. It took a year or two for that to happen though.
I've never used root fertilizers in this tank, and not column ones too besides iron which is very scarce in my hard water.

 

[sciencefiction]

This is the tank below. I once removed all crypts and plants as I intended to put soil. I ran the tank for months with no plants and never got around to doing it. So I stuck back a crypt and it spread again like wildfire. This is a picture of it below. When I removed the plants that time, the sand was manky, full of gunk....But it grows plants 🙂

 

[rebel]

I think Tom Barr had done some experiments. I can't remember. He advocates EI and good substrate.

To run your proposed experiments, you will need a few tanks and use dry weight as the primary outcome.

 

[Soilwork]

This is the tank below. I once removed all crypts and plants as I intended to put soil. I ran the tank for months with no plants and never got around to doing it. So I stuck back a crypt and it spread again like wildfire. This is a picture of it below. When I removed the plants that time, the sand was manky, full of gunk....But it grows plants 🙂

Thanks! What are those crypts? They are lovely. Are they wendtii?

 

[Soilwork]

I think Tom Barr had done some experiments. I can't remember. He advocates EI and good substrate.

To run your proposed experiments, you will need a few tanks and use dry weight as the primary outcome.

Thanks. Yes I recall the experiments where the roots are completely cut off yet the plant still grows. They were not echinodorus or cryptocoryne species though.

I don't intend on doing an experiment. Was just asking if there was any litrature that supported these claims as they are started many times a day on other forums.

 

[sciencefiction]

Thanks! What are those crypts? They are lovely. Are they wendtii?

Thanks soilwork. They are beckettii petchii pink. They have lovely colour shiny leaves.

 

[Soilwork]

Thanks soilwork. They are beckettii petchii pink. They have lovely colour shiny leaves.

I was going to say beckettii but everytime I guess Beckettii they have been wendtii haha

 

[rebel]

Was just asking if there was any litrature that supported these claims as they are started many times a day on other forums.

None that I know. To be sure, you need to make sure that you search the relevant databases with the proper keywords. Don't take anyone else's word for it.