Plants - Cryptocoryne Rot

Plants

Pathology
Cryptocoryne Rot
Sword leaf holes

Cryptocoryne Rot

Cryptocoryne petchii, plus C. wendtii and C. crispatula v. "Balansae Green", Vallisneria, Cabomba and a mass of Duckweed, Salvinia, Frog Bit and Wolffiella had taken over the 20H, in Science House. Amazing how the Crypts burgeoned to dominate the space. Clearing away the floaters and doing a big harvest below, sure made a difference. With the remaining plants appearing so robust, I figured I'd wait a week before adding fertilizer.

Come Friday 5/9/03 a week later, remaining Cryptocoryne specimens had dissolved into mush. WOW. Couldn't figure that! Tested the water: Fe = 0 mg/L and N = 1.32 mg/L. Nutrients zip. (My normal maintenance range is Fe 0.25 - 0.15 mg/L and N = 20 mg/L - 10 mg/L).

Glancing back, seems all plants grew vigorously to a point where they filled the tank so completely, it become a "low light level" venue. With low light, plant metabolism slowed and shifted to a maintenance status sustained by small amounts of nutrients, thanks to fish food and waste.

With a major thinning and clearing of excess floating species, plants received a lot more light intensity. One of the recognized triggers for Crypt Rot is sudden and major change in the system status. Could it be, crypts couldn't make a quick acclimation to brighter lighting? Being nutrients levels were so low, perhaps the plants didn't have sufficient food to support realization of growth potential, stimulated by increased light? Pardon the esoteric speculation. Experts out there..Help.

Yes, Cryptocorynes have strong root systems and are quick to put up new shoots. Sure enough, a check on 5/17/03 provided hope. What was lost was coming back!

--John Glaeser