BillW

We are far enough along to start discussing how to set points for plant species. Offhand I can only thing of three main goals for setting points:
1. Points should be set in direct proportion to the effort that is required to propagate a plant.
2. There should be 4 point groups (5, 10, 15 & 20) and targets.
3. Targets should be plants that require extra effort beyond that of a 20 point plant.

Now we just need to figure how to decide which point category a plant fits into. We need a set of criteria to decide how many points a plant is worth. Let’s start with the 5 point category. I think we can all agree that a 5 point plant is one that can easily grow and propagate without any special effort, but what does that really mean? I think a 5 point plant needs to meet the following criteria:
1. Water parameters are not critical. For example water sprite is native to soft acid water, but it grows just fine in my hard alkaline water.
2. Grows in low light.
3. Does not require any special fertilizer or CO2 supplementation.
4. Grows reasonably fast.

Can anyone think of any other requirements for a 5 point plant?

Later,
Bill

Annasmommy

Nope, I think you covered it!

BillW

OK, if we have 5 point plants nailed down, how much more difficult does a plant have to be to be worth 10 points. Fortunately, we don't have to be too exact having a 5 point spread makes it OK, if we have 5 point plants nailed down, we can talk about what makes a plant worth 5 points. Fortunately, we don't have to be too exact having a 5 point spread makes it a bit easier to categorize plants. But, just how much more difficult do plants need to be to be worth 10 points? Ideally we should be able to compare a plant to the 4 traits I gave for the 5 point plants and if it is more difficult for a trait then it is worth more points. Let’s take Java moss as an example:
1. grows in a wide range of water conditions.
2. Grows in low light.
3. Does not require any special fertilizer or CO2 supplementation.
4. But it does not grow nearly as fast as water sprite in a lower light tank.
So is Java moss worth 10 points?

I have found that duckweed (Lemna minor) grows very slowly if it is in water with zero hardness, and low nutrient levels, even if it is given good light. Should duck weed be worth 10 points? I don’t think so, but maybe this is enough to make it worth the 5 points that is has been assigned .

So what do y’all think is needed to make a plant worth 10 points?

Later,
Bill

Cavan Allen

That sounds kind of like a 5 point plant.

The way things are now, the following are taken into consideration for all plants:

- basic requirements. very few--- lower points. demanding, though not necessarily sensitive - more

- sensitivity to substandard conditions --- a big one. Nesaea pedicellata is a target for this reason.

- growth speed --- considerable amounts of time and the dedication of space over long periods are necessary for some plants

- general concensus among plant growers and literature regarding how difficult a plant is to grow

- my exeriences and those of my fellow Pittsburgh area plant nerds

In other words, there aren't any cut and dry rules. And I don't think there have to be. Unless the point of organizing things is to make it easier for people to understand why plants are worth what they are.

I think what I'm saying is that I'm wondering what the general aim of assigning points based on such a system is.

Obviously, we can always bump points up or down when need be. 15 points was WAY too many for water lettuce.

BillW

OK, if we don't need to spell out the rules any further how about we start reclassifying some plants. I will start off with recommending that Spirodela polyrhiza be dropped to 5 points. The only reason that it is 10 points is that the official name was changed from Lemna major to Spirodela polyrhiza which isn’t specifically mentioned in the rules and all plants not specifically mentioned are worth 10 points.

Later,
Bill