How to Grow Bulbs in an Aquarium
Live aquarium plants use the carbon dioxide that fish expel to produce oxygen. In return, the fish use the oxygen created by the plants, for respiration. The propagation of aquarium plants occurs in a number of ways. Propagation through cuttings, runners and tubers are most common. Some aquatic plants, such as Lotus and Aponogetons, grow from bulbs. Much like bulbs that grow in soil, aquarium bulbs require burial in a planting medium.
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Instructions
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Add a gravel substrate to your aquarium before adding live plants and bulbs. A 3-inch to 4-inch layer of fine gravel should suffice.
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Determine where to plant the bulbs. Aquarium substrate should be disturbed as infrequently as possible. Deciding the location beforehand will decrease the likelihood that you will have to dig up the bulb and stir the bottom of the tank.
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Examine the bulb carefully before planting. If the bulb feels soft, has mold growing on it or is showing signs of rotting, throw it away. Such bulbs are usually not viable.
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Cut any dark roots off at the base of the bulb with a sharp pair of scissors. Dark roots are usually dead and serve the bulb no purpose. Leave only white or clear colored roots remaining on the bulb.
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Press the bulb into the substrate, pointed end up. Leave the top fourth of the bulb exposed (uncovered by the substrate). The pointed end of the bulb is from where the shoots of the plant will emerge.
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Tips & Warnings
Apply a fertilizer to the gravel to increase bulb and plant vigor. Add the fertilizer according to label instructions.
Prune aquarium plants grown from bulbs as often as needed. Cut the portions of the plant that are rising above the water line, using a sharp pair of scissors.
Do not use coarse gravel for substrate. Coarse gravel inhibits root growth.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit aquarium image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com
