LF: Mangrove Pods

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

I'm a little confused why you guys are trying to stunt their growth and SP out of curiosity where did you read this?

I'm not sure I remember the exact source but this is typical advice for mangroves, I actually haven't seen much to support not pruning. Even J&L recommends limiting the leaves
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s..._ID=i-mangrove
Not that J&L is a solid source, if I come across something I'll post. Pretty sure though that leaves need to pruned to keep up good nutrient export from the water but I'm no biologist.

[Zoaelite]

J&L is pretty trust worthy so you could be right but it only makes sense to me that the larger they are the more nutrients they require to maintain themselves and grow.

[tang daddy]

Wish my mangroves grew like this, thanks for the inspiring pics levi !!

[Funky_Fish14]

Im pretty sure that Levi is right about the non-pruning vs. pruning. Thats first year biology basically.

It is often suggested that the plant concentrates on 'expanding it's root system' when the top is being pruned (thus the root system 'taking up nutrients'), in theory if the argument is valid, I presume so that it is more capable of growing up and out when it is not being 'environmentally restricted' (pruning = similar effect to predators or crappy weather? - beings tend to secure lower more basic needs before pushing through the next steps). However, it makes sense that a plant photosynthesizing more/more effectively (one with more leaves) will be better equipped to expand its root system (because as Levi mentioned, more capable of fixing carbon dioxide, for their carbohydrate needs, food sources and cellular structural tissues. If you don't have the energy needs met to grow, you cant).

So, I can understand where the two arguments may come in, but I think it makes more sense to 'let the plant go'? Maybe someone created the pruning/root structure argument to legitimize the size control of their mangroves? Who knows?

You be the judge.

P.S. I dont prune mine either, and they are growing like champions even in a low-flow fuge full of macroalgaes.

Cheers,

Chris

[don.ald]

looks great. lets hear all about your lighting for that crop?