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Poaceae sp. 'purple bamboo' - text

843 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  BryceM
Like its common name suggests, Poaceae sp. 'purple bamboo' bears a resemblance to actual bamboo, which are merely large, woody grasses. But although it was introduced into aquaristics as a Polygonum species, it is instead one of the very few grass species in the planted aquarium side of the hobby. True Polygonums are characterized by, among other things, their swollen nodes encased in a distinctive sheath known as an ocrea. 'Purple bamboo' has neither and also differs by the veination of its leaves. As far as to what species it is or even the genus to which it belongs, nothing is known. Also unknown are its inflorescences, which, along with at least rudimentary information on its natural distribution, will be indispensable in discovering its true identity should any be found.

As an aquarium plant, Poaceae sp. 'purple bamboo' makes for a most interesting species. Under good light and with abundant carbon dioxide and proper fertilization, it displays eye-catching but not overpowering purple and chalky green hues and a tendency to form large oxygen bubbles on its leaf surfaces. Not especially demanding in any respect and capable of surviving in what are commonly known as low-tech aquariums, this species nonetheless grows and looks best under the sort of conditions described above.

A strictly vertical growth habit and delicate appearance lend it to minimalistic Asian-themed aquascapes especially well. Moderately sized stands composed of an odd number of stems are perhaps the most common use of this species; side shoots are infrequently formed in the absence of trimming, helping maintain a somewhat formal look it desired. An often overlooked use is as a plant for paludariums. Although perfectly capable of growing below water, it is much more at home above it and easily breaks the water surface. This tendency can be utilized effectively by planting it in shallow water around driftwood or in the rear of open top aquariums. Regular trimming of the emersed form is important because stems can grow to almost three feet in length unchecked.

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You know the drill. :D
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Aren't nicknames supposed to be capitalized? i.e. 'Purple Bamboo'?

The text looks good to me.
Thanks. Good to go I guess.

There is no rule for nicknames, but would probably be best if things were consistent. Do you think one way is better than another?
Personally, I like them capitalized. I suppose to me it makes it more obvious that it's not a species name.
looks good to me. I think capitlization looks better as well...
Can you add a note on propagation? I just got some of this plant and am curious about how to "make more". I'm guessing you just cut about 1/2 way down a full grown stalk and let the old stem send up new shoots (like a Polygonum), but that's just a guess.
side shoots are infrequently formed in the absence of trimming
You don't think that covers it? There's no real trick to propagating it.
intuitively yes, but you have to dumb it down for newbies like me :)

"side shoots are infrequently formed in the absence of trimming, making this plant easy to propogate"
Oh, I guess it does cover it. I was probably asleep when I read it the first time.

"Side shoots will normally form only after trimming." ??????????
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