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How to divide a floating water sprite
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:29 pm
by oceanwise
I was told to prune by cutting off the daughter plants and removing the mother, but I'm still a bit unclear on what a "daughter plant" actually is. Does it have to be a stem that's developed its own roots, or can I just trim any stem? My water sprite is going crazy, by the way - it's really taken off.
Re: How to divide a floating water sprite
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 8:57 pm
by BadgersSong
I'd say just chop it up. Each piece will grow into a new one, usually.
Re: How to divide a floating water sprite
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 11:31 pm
by greensea_1
The main plant grows these little roots and leaves right off its own leaves, kinda like a mini version of itself. There's usually a little node or mass that you can carefully pull off the main leaf, and then just let it float. It'll grow into its own plant over time.
Re: How to divide a floating water sprite
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 1:02 am
by cichlidgirl22
To be honest, I just gently remove any stem and it should grow into a full-sized plant. I guess you could say I'm a bit rough when I think about it - I just kind of carefully take off any arm or part of the plant.
Re: How to divide a floating water sprite
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 3:41 am
by greensea_1
cichlidgirl22 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 21, 2024 1:02 am
To be honest, I just gently remove any stem and it should grow into a full-sized plant. I guess you could say I'm a bit rough when I think about it - I just kind of carefully take off any arm or part of the plant.
Wait, is it a stem plant then?
Re: How to divide a floating water sprite
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:06 am
by cichlidgirl22
cichlidgirl22 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 21, 2024 1:02 am
To be honest, I just gently remove any stem and it should grow into a full-sized plant. I guess you could say I'm a bit rough when I think about it - I just kind of carefully take off any arm or part of the plant.
I think it's definitely a stem plant, I mean, it grows stems like crazy, but honestly, I'm not really sure, I'm no expert on this stuff.
Re: How to divide a floating water sprite
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 8:05 am
by boomer
Ceratopteris species aren't stem plants, they actually produce fronds from a short, erect rhizome. Those "stems" you see are just fronds that can vary greatly depending on the growing conditions. The five recognized species have distinct leaf shapes, but these can also vary within the species based on conditions.
In my experience, when fronds tear and separate, they don't grow roots from the actual leaf. However, if the separated piece has sporangia, it's possible for a daughter plant to grow. But that's not the parent plant itself. Daughter plants are produced from the sporangia on older and alternate fronds.
Re: How to divide a floating water sprite
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:41 am
by cichlidgirl22
boomer wrote: ↑Thu Nov 21, 2024 8:05 am
Ceratopteris species aren't stem plants, they actually produce fronds from a short, erect rhizome. Those "stems" you see are just fronds that can vary greatly depending on the growing conditions. The five recognized species have distinct leaf shapes, but these can also vary within the species based on conditions.
In my experience, when fronds tear and separate, they don't grow roots from the actual leaf. However, if the separated piece has sporangia, it's possible for a daughter plant to grow. But that's not the parent plant itself. Daughter plants are produced from the sporangia on older and alternate fronds.
there you go