Do aquarium plants experience seasonal changes?
Do aquarium plants experience seasonal changes?
I'm making the switch from outdoor gardening and I've been wondering, do aquarium plants follow some kind of seasonal pattern? This might sound ridiculous, but I've noticed some plants suddenly sprouting new growth without any changes in the tank, and it's got me curious.
Re: Do aquarium plants experience seasonal changes?
In the wild, yes, but not always in the aquarium. For instance, Aponogetons and water lilies tend to have seasonal changes in the aquarium, but most other plants don't.
If you look at plants grown in the wild or outdoors where temperatures change and water levels rise and fall throughout the year, you'll notice most aquarium plants will flower or die back and go dormant for a bit. This is especially true for common marsh plants like Hygrophila sp, Echinodorus sp, and Cryptocoryne sp - they'll flower when you allow the water level to drop and the leaves to grow out of the water, mimicking the dry season in the wild.
Echinodorus is a bit different; it flowers underwater, but instead of producing a flower, it produces a baby plant. On the other hand, Aponogetons and water lilies have a distinct growing phase where they produce leaves, build up a rhizome or tuber, flower, and then die back and rest for a few months. When this happens, it's a good idea to remove them from the aquarium and store them in the fridge for a few months.
True aquatic plants like Hydrilla and Elodea don't flower, while others like Cabomba and Ambulia can flower if they grow out of water. Vallis is another example - it flowers when given temperature variations throughout the year. What's interesting about Vallis is that it remains underwater its entire life, yet produces small flowers that grow up to the surface for pollination.
Growing aquarium plants in pots with potting mix can be a great way to care for them, especially for marsh plants that do quite well like this and sometimes produce pretty flowers.
If you look at plants grown in the wild or outdoors where temperatures change and water levels rise and fall throughout the year, you'll notice most aquarium plants will flower or die back and go dormant for a bit. This is especially true for common marsh plants like Hygrophila sp, Echinodorus sp, and Cryptocoryne sp - they'll flower when you allow the water level to drop and the leaves to grow out of the water, mimicking the dry season in the wild.
Echinodorus is a bit different; it flowers underwater, but instead of producing a flower, it produces a baby plant. On the other hand, Aponogetons and water lilies have a distinct growing phase where they produce leaves, build up a rhizome or tuber, flower, and then die back and rest for a few months. When this happens, it's a good idea to remove them from the aquarium and store them in the fridge for a few months.
True aquatic plants like Hydrilla and Elodea don't flower, while others like Cabomba and Ambulia can flower if they grow out of water. Vallis is another example - it flowers when given temperature variations throughout the year. What's interesting about Vallis is that it remains underwater its entire life, yet produces small flowers that grow up to the surface for pollination.
Growing aquarium plants in pots with potting mix can be a great way to care for them, especially for marsh plants that do quite well like this and sometimes produce pretty flowers.
Re: Do aquarium plants experience seasonal changes?
I've had experience collecting plants and I noticed a pattern - if I introduced them to a tank during Canada's growing season, they'd thrive year-round. However, if I added them after July, they'd inevitably decline and die come fall, regardless of my efforts. This held true across multiple species. Many plants seem to retain their natural seasonal rhythms, especially those originating from regions with distinct seasonal changes. In contrast, plants native to equatorial regions likely adapt to a more stable environment.
As for fish, they're a different story - many species exhibit seasonal behaviors, making them intriguing to observe and care for.
As for fish, they're a different story - many species exhibit seasonal behaviors, making them intriguing to observe and care for.
Re: Do aquarium plants experience seasonal changes?
I think I've got a handle on this - plants that can live partially out of water may exhibit seasonal behavior and flower when they're not fully submerged. On the other hand, plants that are strictly underwater tend not to do this. Am I reading that right?
graye, I'm curious - you mentioned that fish have seasonal changes, even if they don't live in lakes and ponds that freeze over.
graye, I'm curious - you mentioned that fish have seasonal changes, even if they don't live in lakes and ponds that freeze over.
Re: Do aquarium plants experience seasonal changes?
It seems that fully submerged aquatic plants from Canada, such as Canadkento4, exhibit a die-off around August that's irreversible, even with extended lighting periods. They might appear healthy in August, but by October, they'll have deteriorated. However, if you introduce them to a tank early in the season, you can essentially cheat the system, suggesting that photoperiod plays a role in this process.
Interestingly, fish from regions with distinct rainy and dry seasons can undergo significant physiological changes. Their breeding seasons are often linked to rainfall patterns as well. For instance, East African Nothobranchius are fascinating to study, representing an extreme example of this phenomenon.
Interestingly, fish from regions with distinct rainy and dry seasons can undergo significant physiological changes. Their breeding seasons are often linked to rainfall patterns as well. For instance, East African Nothobranchius are fascinating to study, representing an extreme example of this phenomenon.
Re: Do aquarium plants experience seasonal changes?
You're close, but there's more to it. The plants need a combination of changes in light and temperature to trigger flowering. Take marsh plants like Echinodorus and Hygrophila species, for example. If you're growing them in a pot with potting mix and they're getting warm weather and 16 hours of light per day, they'll likely flower continuously until the days get shorter or the temperature drops.Nellie wrote: ↑Fri Jun 02, 2023 5:39 am I'm making the switch from outdoor gardening and I've been wondering, do aquarium plants follow some kind of seasonal pattern? This might sound ridiculous, but I've noticed some plants suddenly sprouting new growth without any changes in the tank, and it's got me curious.
On the other hand, if you keep these plants in cooler conditions or limit their light to 6 hours a day, they won't flower until the weather warms up and the days get longer. It's all about the right conditions.
Vallis is a great example of a true aquatic plant that produces a flower. But what's interesting is that it needs a period of cold water, typically with shorter lighting periods, before it will flower. Then, when the water warms up and the days get longer, the plant will send up a flower on a stem that reaches the surface of the water, where it can be pollinated.
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shakinStevens - Posts: 77
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Re: Do aquarium plants experience seasonal changes?
Aquatic plants may indeed experience seasons, but these aren't necessarily tied to temperature fluctuations. In streams and lakes, water temperature remains relatively stable compared to the air. However, changes in water parameters like GH, KH, and pH can occur periodically due to rainfall and snowmelt. This can result in softer water during certain times of the year, varying by location. Unfortunately, how aquatic plants respond to these changes is often poorly documented.
On land, plant seasons can be subtle as well. While many plants bloom in the spring, others don't follow this pattern. Some plants flower when nights are longer, like certain desert plants that bloom after a significant wet period. There's even a tree that only flowers when it's windy.
On land, plant seasons can be subtle as well. While many plants bloom in the spring, others don't follow this pattern. Some plants flower when nights are longer, like certain desert plants that bloom after a significant wet period. There's even a tree that only flowers when it's windy.