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Thread: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

  1. #1
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    Default Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    Has anyone experimented with bonsai trays using them as your
    substrate container. It seems that this would ease Tank cleaning and plant
    maintenance. Plus I think these are more aesthetically pleasing
    rather than having individual potted plants. I would be most
    interested in your comments

    Examples below.

    http://www.bonsaiboy.com/catalog/houtoku_pot_h579a.html

    http://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/plastic_trays.html

  2. #2
    Registered Member Jhill's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    Hey I think it could work and look good. Of course I am partial to bonsai


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  3. #3
    Registered Member phidelt85's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    That would be a good idea, Seecher. I've been looking for a long tray to put my swords in. If it were flat bottomed, it would be perfect for me anyway. Thanks for the link
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    Registered Member GrillMaster's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    The first link is 2" deep would work better than the second one at only 7/8". Keep in mind alot will depend on what ya want to plant in it. Swords wouldn't work since its not deep enough.

    Just keep in mind the root system of what ever you are wanting to plant in the trays.

    tc
    Mark
    Last edited by GrillMaster; 01-22-2008 at 01:48 AM.
    Mark

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    The plastic bonsai trays listed below can be purchased in a
    bundle of four at $4.64 that $1.16 each, they look pretty
    good and an excellent price.

    An interesting feature of tray below is that it has "feet"
    which will allow water circulation under the tray, and I think
    would be a good thing.

    http://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/plastic_trays.html

    PP10T Plastic Trays
    8 5/8" x 5 15/16" x 1 3/16"

    In researching planted aquariums very little is said about the
    death of the substrate. How deep is the substrate that most
    of you guys have in your planted tanks? Are there plants,
    suitable for a discus tank, that MUST have more than 2 in.
    of substrate?

    Again, thank you for your responses.

    My way bastalker the tiger lotus is very colorful and looks like a
    good addition.

  6. #6
    Registered Member phidelt85's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    Quote Originally Posted by bastalker View Post
    The first link is 2" deep would work better than the second one at only 7/8". Keep in mind alot will depend on what ya want to plant in it. Swords wouldn't work since its not deep enough.

    Just keep in mind the root system of what ever you are wanting to plant in the trays.

    tc
    Mark

    At 2" deep, the swords should be more than fine. The length will allow the roots to spread out instead of down..
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  7. #7
    Registered Member Wahter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    I don't think the shallow pots will work for Echinodorus (sword) plants.

    Most sword plants and Cryptocorynes (even Rotala macrandra) can have massively dense roots - I've had them planted in pots 4" deep and the larger swords were entirely rootbound; it's as if the Flourite in the pots were totally replaced by the roots. When I've have large swords planted in tanks with a substrate bottom, the roots were easily over a foot in length.


    Walter
    Walter

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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    Quote Originally Posted by Wahter View Post
    I don't think the shallow pots will work for Echinodorus (sword) plants.

    Most sword plants and Cryptocorynes (even Rotala macrandra) can have massively dense roots - I've had them planted in pots 4" deep and the larger swords were entirely rootbound; it's as if the Flourite in the pots were totally replaced by the roots. When I've have large swords planted in tanks with a substrate bottom, the roots were easily over a foot in length.


    Walter

    I agree, Walter--not deep enough or large enough in general for mature root systems for these plants, though you would get some milage out of this planting tray for young less developed plants for a while.
    Best regards
    Harriett

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    It looks like some some mature plants would not be suitable for
    this technique.

    However, it is the experience of many terrestrial gardeners that
    some plants experience renewed growth when the top AND the
    roots have been pruned (roses). With easy removal of the tray
    from the aquarium environment, perhaps, this could be a technique
    to be explored.

    But what other plants would be appropriate in this type of system,
    those that would not have an overpowering, invasive root system
    like the sword plants.

  10. #10
    Registered Member Wahter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    You can always get some anubias - their roots will cling to rocks and driftwood like ivy.




    Walter
    Walter

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    Quote Originally Posted by Wahter View Post
    You can always get some anubias - their roots will cling to rocks and driftwood like ivy.
    Walter
    Great suggestion Wahter, here is a very informative page about the plant.

    http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Plant,%20Anubias.htm

    I welcome any further suggestions you guys may come up with.

  12. #12
    Registered Member Apistomaster's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bonsai containers for aquatic plants

    I use Gladware food containers with three inches of Florabase covered with about 1/2 inch of sand. Sure, the Amazons Swords become root bound but they still attain full size. I figure if two E. bleheri fill a 75 gal they are as big as I need. I find it important to regularly(~8 months intervals) add PlantGro time release fertilizer sticks but because they are rigid perforated plastic sticks I am able to force them into the root balls and the plants continue to grow.Root binding with enough fertilizer does not seem to harm the plants.
    As the plants become very large I use two sticks instead of just one.
    Last edited by Apistomaster; 01-25-2008 at 10:10 PM.
    Larry Waybright

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