Suggested forum---Local Biotypes

[HeyPK]

There are a number of aquarium plant hobbyists who like to collect local plants from ditches and ponds and see how well they can be grown in aquaria. The U.S. has contributed more plants to the hobby than many other countries, and I am sure there are more good aquarium plants waiting to be found. It would be nice for the scattered people who do this kind of thing to have a forum where they could get together and compare pictures, collecting and growing techniques.

Here in Mississippi, I have at least two aquarium plants growing in my lawn--- Hydrocotyle verticillata and Ludwigia palustris. You never know if a plant might be a good aquarium plant until you try it.

[panaque]

That sounds awesome! I have seen many plants here in Washington that I have wanted to try. Hey, does anyone have reference to a local field guide of aquatic plants they use?

[HeyPK]

That sounds awesome! I have seen many plants here in Washington that I have wanted to try. Hey, does anyone have reference to a local field guide of aquatic plants they use?

The closest to that is the web site of Steve Pituch: http://users.ev1.net/~SPITUCH/Steve&...m%20intro.html
Steve is very active in local collecting and has a lot of pictures of his biotype tank. He would make a great moderator for this topic. There are several other people, mostly lurkers on the Aquatic Plants Mailing List who also experiment with locally collected plants.

When Christel Kasselmann spoke at the AGA 2003 Convention, she emphasized local collecting. Collecting is a large part of what she does. While she was in the Dallas area, she did a lot of collecting on the Friday field trip and found a number of unidentified plants that could be tested to see if they were suitable for aquaria.

[panaque]

Just looked at Steve's site...I second the motion for moderator. And what an awesome collection!

[Art_Giacosa]

Paul,

Wonderful idea! I would have never thought of it. I'll contact Steve, but it would help if you could send him a note as well.

I see the attachment mod is work also.

[bms]

As a newbie I have to tell you I get lost with names. I have to write down the names and then go to the local store and hope that they have labeled the plants (if at all labeled) correctly.

It would help a lot to have a collection of Names, expertise required to grow it, light requirements, etc. for reference, that includes a picture of the specimen.

[tsunami]

A plant database would be a good idea for APC.

Carlos