New mangrove

[Scotty Buttons]

I just bought a new mangrove plant from a LFS that I have never been to, I'm curious if I should do anything to try to prevent any pests dip it in something?

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Anyone?

 

[legionofdoon]

If you want to do it a natural way you can keep mangroves in fresh water. Any marine pests will die after a few days. I live in Florida where we have a few million mangroves, they grow primarily in estuaries so are adapted to a wide range of salinities. The only reason they dominate in the more saline areas is because they have no real competition in that niche. They only other tree I've ever seen grow well near the more saline areas are Australian pines but they don't grow directly in water and most have been removed from the state owned lands. Hope that helps you.

 

[Brian Ardolino]

Give it Dip in a h202 & tank water mix for about 10 min that’ll get any pest or algae. When you get it in the tank keep the roots out of direct light and mist it with water every few days leaves and steam especially it’s it small. Misting will keep the salt creep from killing it

 

[Scotty Buttons]

thanks for the information, it is pretty small. I will leave it in a cup of fresh water for a few days befor adding to my sump. Do they tend to do ok under the same spectrum of lights cheato?

 

[legionofdoon]

I've seen shoots growing roots and leaves while floating around in pretty salty water. They almost look like vine tendrils (the roots) once they settle in a stable place the roots go into over drive they will "burrow" into your rock work away from the light. The don't start producing new leaves for awhile. Of course that's red mangroves.

 

[legionofdoon]

They thrive in direct sunlight. Do the brighter the better.

 

[legionofdoon]

If I were you I'd place it in a separate container with a piece of rock place in a sunny place and let it's roots attach and then place both in your tank remember it has to have the leaves and that skinny part above the seed base out of the water.

 

[legionofdoon]

You have a red mangrove btw.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Gotcha, good info. Thanks again!

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Ive had this mangrove for almost 3 months, at one point I accidentally broke off one of the two leaves it had, At that point it hadn't shown any growth and I figured that was the end of the mangrove. But yesterday seemingly overnight it sprouted a couple new leaves. These are such cool plants and I'm happy this one is starting to growin my sump!