Cylindrical vase flowers/plants low tech

[Mike&stef]

Picked up this vase at Michael it measures 5.25in diameter by 15in length. I am going to keep it in the kitchen where we get a lot of natural light and will find a small lamp around 13watts on a timer for added light. I started to set up the toms canister filter for this but soon realized it was losing its sleek look with big black tubes in the back and the spray bar. So I am going with a small air pump and will use it to make a air lift from the bottom using some PVC pipe to create water circulation.

Added some shrimp stratum for soil and will probably do a few drops of dosing depending on how the plants do. Plans are to add shrimp once its established. Flowers is where I am running into problems for the small diameter space I am not sure aquatic flowering plants will have enough space to send petals and pads before they flower. I would also like it to bloom year round. I want to either try
water lilys (dwarf)
Water lotus (tiger lotus but I think it will fill the whole vase)
Water hawthorn (may work)
water hyacinth (may be the best one)

submerged or floating flowers I am willing to try just want to hear from anyone that has tried something similar. Tips and info is appreciated

[troy tucker]

I.m not a plant guy but interested in how this is going to look. in such a small tank all you need is an air stone at the bottom to move the water. Water changes would be needed more often. more like a goldfish bowl or a batta.

Good Luck

[mistahoo]

If you set it up correctly, you won't even need an air stone, any sort of filtration, or lighting.

[davemonkey]

I don't think a lily would be able to bloom in there. There's only enough room at the top for 1 leaf float. Your best bet may be to plant a tall crypt or a Val in the middle (for height) and then some Anubias around the based of it. Anubias are known to flower underwater. Blyxa will also, but I don't know how it would do in this case (probably okay) and the Blyxa flowers are not really showy.

[allysangels]

i would try stem plants, bacopa will flower above the surface, as will many others. with only a few shrimps inside, no airstone or filtration should be necessary, and might be detrimental in such a small container. water changes are super important, however.

[Mike&stef]

Will be doing 50% water changes weekly and will try it with out a airstone, I just didn't want the water to stagnate with out any movement. As far as purchasing plants any local places? I checked the usual pet stores, home depot, Houston garden center even the floral department at walmart and nothing so far. Their is one place up in katy a pond aquatic store or something they say they carry aquatic plants.

[allysangels]

i have lots... here.

[mistahoo]

Re: Cylindrical vase flowers/plants low tech

The water will be fine. Plants will act as your filter and the shrimps won't need all that water movement. 50% weekly sounds good. Maybe break it into two 25% water changes a week? That way it won't be that drastic of a water change

Sent from my spaceship using Tapatalk 2.

[troy tucker]

Java fern with something tall in the center but i like the way Java Fern grows in.

Ally you have some nice plants. Wish you were closer.

[Mike&stef]

Been doing a lot of research on different plants and flowers and have found a lot of people growing orchids out of water culture. I have some random plant clippings in the cylinder for a few days and just added the orchid to the top of the vase. In theory the plants and algae in the water produce o2 for the orchid to absorb in the roots. If everything goes well and grows I will be adding shrimp in the next month or so. I got a ikea jansjo slim light on the way it has about 3 watts plus the natural sun from the south east and west windows.

removed from pot and washed out the soil

[Tetranerd]

i grew orchids for a few years when I lived in florida. and they are epiphytes, they grow on tree bark. very similar to air ferns. if you submerge the roots, they will rot. they need agood flushing water, then let the roots dry until they are white and waxy in appearance, and the surounding bark and moss substrate in the pot dries out. otherwise that (phalenopsis) orchid will keel over in a week or so from drowning. I may be wrong, but thats my experience with epiphyte orchids. best of luck and keep us posted...

[Mike&stef]

Update. Plants have rooted in the soil and have seen some growth thinking I will add fisden moss as a carpet on the bottom of the vase. The orchids original roots began to rot so during water changes I was removing dead and decayed roots and started seeing new roots forming. Leaves are still strong as well as the stem. The orchid dropped its flowers but I am assuming it was from the shock of being submerged. I have the 3watt light on pretty much all day and turn it off in the evening.

[mistahoo]

Toss a nerite in there to clean up!

[Mike&stef]

Update: almost a month later and the orchid is still alive. Old roots rotted away and left behind white thin roots similar to the roots on my sword plants. The other random plants I put in have been growing great. Now starting to have diatom algae growing on the glass will start looking for some snails to put in and will probably add some shrimp in a few weeks

[Mike&stef]

Thats not green hair algae by the way it was a handfull of fisden moss I tossed in to act as a carpet, but every time I do a water change it floats back up. Need to find a way to add water with out disturbing the bottom so much