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Bonsai Florida Red Mangrove..
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Posted by stanofh (My Page) on Mon, Jun 2, 08 at 17:40
I just bought a pod from an aquarium store.In my previous job as a university greenhouse manager i had an old magnificent plant in a 12' pot-stilt roots and all. Including Ficus like leaves.
So,give it a try.Salt water not needed.
As houseplants?..who has tried? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Bonsai Florida Red Mangrove..
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| Hi - Never heard of the tree (up here in the cold north) but you said 'pod' and 'stilt roots', and I wonder whether it really grows like other trees in the sense of being able to be bonsai'd, which requires root (and branch) pruning and normally being planted in a particular mix of grits and bark and a very little bit of 'soil', rather than e.g. only water. Can you post a picture, with more about the tree's habits, etc? |
RE: Bonsai Florida Red Mangrove..
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Oh,they can be Bonsai'd. As i said,my job was to care for a potted plant that did develop the stilt roots in pot.Well,had them long before I came along. The leaves did also reduce somewhat. The fact is they dont need any salt water and do BETTER in a rich potting soil in standing FRESHwater.A deeper than average saucer under the pot worked fine.
I have read of those trying to get Mangroves to grow with roots in a marine aquarium and the top under grow lights- no wonder that failed since i have learned they need real soil and will grow anemic on aquarium water alone.
You will have to Lucy check the internet for pics...i never did take a photo of it. And i no longer work there. Take my word for it-they do fine in pots and look great. Getting a healthy pod to start with is the hard part.I'm not too happy about the condition mine was in when i bought it. It's wait and see, if new growth breaks out from the tip. |
RE: Bonsai Florida Red Mangrove..
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| For a bonsai you should start with seeds rather than a pod, the pod will look unnatural at that small size and you wont be able to get stilted roots or small leaves from it until you have enough leafy matter to keep that large oblong pod alive. I'm a reefer FWIW |
RE: Bonsai Florida Red Mangrove..
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Not sure if anyone ever reads this anymore. But I have to correct stanofh and inform people that growing mangroves in reef aquaria isn't difficult.
I currently have eight trees growing in saltwater that i have grown from propagules.
They are currently about a year old and two feet tall.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/UrbanSage/Aquarium/2008 10/DSCN7012.jpg |
RE: Bonsai Florida Red Mangrove..
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| Ill agree with urbansage, all the mangroves I see growing are in brackish (light salt water) swamps or in the gulf water (regular salty). I live inland where there are alot of fresh water ponds and lakes and I do not see any mangroves here. |
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