Any bucephalandra growers?

[Fat Homer]

Just wondering if any other members here have any growing in their tanks and what they look like...

Also any tips for growing them if you keep stuff Buce. Brownie Ghost or Buce. Shy Blue etc...

Got myself some Brownie Ghost the other day and testing out some tips from the store owner to bring out the blues, so if anyone has any tips please share...

My new plant (placed yesterday Feb 3 2018)


What im hoping to achieve (pic from internet)

 

[FishKing5]

Just wondering if any other members here have any growing in their tanks and what they look like...

Also any tips for growing them if you keep stuff Buce. Brownie Ghost or Buce. Shy Blue etc...

Got myself some Brownie Ghost the other day and testing out some tips from the store owner to bring out the blues, so if anyone has any tips please share...

My new plant (placed yesterday Feb 3 2018)
View attachment 1297702

What im hoping to achieve (pic from internet)
View attachment 1297701

I have some Buce coming in this week from buceplant.com and got their variety pack. I currently have just the green leaf kind growing but have some of the kind you have coming in this week. I’ve heard they prefer good c02 to grow to their full potential I’d be interested as well to learn if there are specific nutrients to add to the tank to bring out more color. Such a cool plant though. I’m using my as a front border in my Aquascape. Will share pics when I get them in.

 

[convict360]

nice plants, I've been aware of them for some time but haven't bought any yet, I'd likely treat them in much the same way as anubias

 

[Fat Homer]

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews people saying they are low light plants not needing much to being medium light plants that enjoy broad spectrum of ferts and Co2...

Since i've tried the low ferts route and didnt seem to do much, im now testing out higher ferts / higher Co2 and addedmore red light to try and bring out their colors...

Although its only been a short time they do seem to be improving...

 

[convict360]

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews people saying they are low light plants not needing much to being medium light plants that enjoy broad spectrum of ferts and Co2...

Since i've tried the low ferts route and didnt seem to do much, im now testing out higher ferts / higher Co2 and addedmore red light to try and bring out their colors...

Although its only been a short time they do seem to be improving...

co2 and ferts all the way, even in low light tanks I'd imagine much improvement. A lot of algae issues i.e excess nutrients etc, are mostly solved by lots of water changes, so can't see the ferts being an issue

 

[Fat Homer]

I should elaborate re: the ferts...

Its just that i've heard so many opinions about dosing extra of certain ferts including Nitrogen / iron or phosphorous to bring out their colors, but i also know its a delicate balance for a any tank and too much of any one fert can lead to massive algae outbreaks...

So basically im all round upping the dosage of ferts for a few weeks and see how i go... hopefully things work out...

 

[FishKing5]

I’ll be dosing with “All Green All In OnE Ferilzer “ and will update on the results. Heard great things about this fertilizer. Adding my c02 system this week as well. Excited to see the results.

 

[tiger15]

I bought mine from PlantFactory. It only carries three varieties: Wavy Green, Green Giant and Mini Red. BucePlant has over 70 varieties, but many from the pcs look indistinguishable, so I went with the most common varieties from PlantFactory, figuring that they are likely easiest to grow.

They grow slowly in my medium light tank. Old emerged growth leaves are susceptible to bba, which are slowly replaced with new healthy leaves over several months. I think Buce are good companion plant with Anubias, having similar growth habit and leave form but with a blue tint that Anubias is lacking.

 

[Fat Homer]

I’ll be dosing with “All Green All In OnE Ferilzer “ and will update on the results. Heard great things about this fertilizer. Adding my c02 system this week as well. Excited to see the results.

Cool would be interested to see how that works out for you

I bought mine from PlantFactory. It only carries three varieties: Wavy Green, Green Giant and Mini Red. BucePlant has over 70 varieties, but many from the pcs look indistinguishable, so I went with the most common varieties from PlantFactory, figuring that they are likely easiest to grow.

They grow slowly in my medium light tank. Old emerged growth leaves are susceptible to bba, which are slowly replaced with new healthy leaves over several months. I think Buce are good companion plant with Anubias, having similar growth habit and leave form but with a blue tint that Anubias is lacking.

I have Sky Red Mini & Brownie Ghost that were labeled when purchased, then i have at least 2-3 more unidentified buce, although one im guessing maybe wavy green...

 

[tiger15]

Are you happy with the size from BucePlant?

I am pleased with the size from PlantFactory for "Giant" and "Wavy Green", but true to the name that "Mini" is too mini to me. There is free shipment for many plants from PlantFactory in US, so price wise, it offers better value.

Many names in BucePlant are made up, as they are likely derived from no more than 3 to 4 species(series). Based on its photos, they range from large leaf (2") to mini leaf (0.2"), color range from dark green, blue to purple, and leaf shape range from elliptical to elongated. There are no 2-3 ft giant, round leaf, light green or gold Buce I am aware of. So size and shape wise, Buce has less variation than Anubias The dark color makes Buce good contrast with Anubias, hide BBA better, but won't stand out in dark corners.