A sudden desire takes you to install some plants in your discus Aquarium?
Towards your favorite store, ready to buy Echinodorus and other Anubias…
But did you ever asked yourself where could come these aquarium plants? I propose you to follow me to the Netherlands discover the aquatic plants of the producer AQUAFLEUR .
From the plant potted, to the Microsorum on root, Discover hundreds of square meters of greenhouses dedicated to the aquatic universe and vegetation…
Typical landscape of the Netherlands, crops specialist of plants of all kinds
Partial view of the production greenhouses
Take the aquatic plants of the producer Aquafleur
As you will notice below, the plants you used to see under water are produced mostly emerged (out of the water). For some species, the cutting is the propagation method well known by aquarists.
Regularly the producer performs cuttings of 6/8 cm which will be placed in small plastic pot lined with rockwool.
The plants (mother plant) provide little cuttings that seek to grow.
Plants (mother plants) regularly cut
Cuttings are planted by hand one by one
The plants are washed before being stored on roll
Plants ready to join the production greenhouses
Hundreds of Echinodorus mother plants
Another method of multiplication is to collect keikis (small new plants) which grow on some mother plants such as the Echinodorus.
Seedlings that will be collected for future cultures
Some mother plants of’Echinodorus are of a size that few aquarists can suspect!
I invite you to enjoy the size of these plants with the photo that I have taken of Olivier and Yannick from the Belgian store L'aquarium Lillois. You will find on the website of L'Aquarium Lillois in Witterzee all schedules and informations to go there.
Two professional aquarists who have fish in their skin!
Mother plants of Echinodorus
Our Belgian Olivier and Yannick friends before a beautiful massifs
Wonderfull tattoo!
Anubias and Microsorum on roots
Popular for hobbyists, the Microsorum and Anubias remain of aquatic plants who thrive rather well of discus aquariums to discus. (Remember you one of these Planted Aquarium in Duisburg)
Fixed on roots, These plants have the advantage to be easily changed place during cleaning of the aquarium. Their beauty is indisputable.
As a first step the Anubias are grown in pots. Then, when their size allows, they are fixed on their support which will be here a root.
Thousands of pots of Anubias waiting to be fixed on their support
Plants newly fixed on root
It goes the same with the Microsorum.
The moss are also added, giving a natural and very successful record!
Without a doubt one of the specialties of’AQUAFLEUR.
Superb moss on roots
The "end product"
From the producer Aquafleur to your discus tank
Once reached their marketable sizes , the plants are selected and prepared for shipment.
One by one the plants are prepared and rinsed before integrating the room where boxes will be prepared.
Preparation of plants before joining the shipping room
Final checks before the big departure
The plants will be sent to stores and available to aquarists.
They will join discus aquariums of thousands hobbyist and no doubt your discus Aquarium…
Our tour stops here… I hope you enjoyed this report. It only remains for me to thank the company AQUAFLEUR who have opened its doors for us.
You can continue your visit on AQUAFLEUR website (Videos available)
See you soon and don't forget to join the community of fans of the blog on Facebook, Twitter or Google +
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5 comments
Beautiful reportage Yann,
I had already seen methodes of culture of Tropica and I found that the emergent culture was mind blowing. I dare not imagine the humidity inside greenhouses.
I think that we will better understand how it could be hard for our plants recently purchased to adapt to their new life under water.
Good evening,
Thank you Stéphane!
Yes indeed, plants must adapt to the aquatic life. But this happens generally rather well.
Take care, and good surfing on the website! 🙂
Yann
I realized that I had a breeding pair….second spawn is done, and begin to hatch….I have two other small Discus in the aquarium….I believe that I have to isolate the pair to reproduce….before equip me, any advices ?
A rookie who live in Quebec in the Canada !
Anne
Hello Anne! a cousin from Quebec! 😉
First congratulations! It is still a wonderful show that our discus offer us when they reproduce…
You are right, to put all the chances on your side, you will need you a bit of equipment.
An aquarium of 100 litres, adapted filtration, some tools to control water like a pH test, nitrate test and a conductivity meter.
I do not know how is the water where you live, but there are chances that you need a reverse osmosis unit (?).
Do not forget that reproduction is a thing… raise the young is another! you will need the necessary number of aquariums to grow small discus! 🙂
I wish you good luck with your fish! and if you need, do not hesitate to contact me, If I can help you, It will be with pleasure.
Yann 🙂
only one word : Magnificent