Help! Plant related

[awelcome]

I know there is a plant section, but I think this section is typically seen more so thought I would post here... hope nobody minds.

So I have mentioned that plant in my vivarium that I didn't feel was doing well, and might have root rot. It seems like every day a new stem would die off and just come right off at the base. Today I removed three that were barely sitting there, and the entire plant is down to like 2, maybe three stems left and they aren't looking super strong either. They are still green though, so I have been holding out hope.

I wondered if I needed to just call it, and pull the entire thing at this point? I don't know if it can do harm to the rest of the vivarium if it does have root rot, or if it can harm the frog either. Paul mentioned that I would know root rot by smell, but I am not sure I could tell... when I open the vivarium it has a very wet earth smell, but also a mold smell because it's going through the mold cycle. I don't smell rotten eggs or anything, and it just smells like moldy wet earth, but at the same time I am going through a cold and my sense of smell is a bit messed up.... I normally have a VERY sensitive sense of smell, so that can also be a curse since every little smell can cause me to be paranoid lol.

Anyway, here is a shot of the three dead stems I took out today. The goopy part is another dead leaf/stem that I pulled with them and I just set it on there.

[deranged chipmunk]

What kind of plant is it? Where is it in the Viv?


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[flybyferns]

Hi

If all the leaves look like this ...I would yank it !
These leaves look dead
As you gain additional experience, you will know what to purchase and where to plant it within the enclosure
Study all the plants that are recommend for vivariums.

Here are some great tips.
http://www.blackjungleterrariumsuppl...ants_c_63.html

[awelcome]

Do you think there would be harm in allowing the few remaining green stems to have a chance? Partially I would just like it to have a turn around, but it's also located at a kind of hassle spot where I will have to take some stuff out to really get to it, and likely move the frog out to get back there, which I would like to avoid. It's a Syngonium 'Confetti', from Josh's Frogs, and I planted it in the middle back as per the suggestion that he had written on the plant. It gets at least partial direct light, but is slightly obscured by the two broms on either side that overlap it in places as well. Some of the leaves already looked a tad yellowing to me when I planted it, but I think it got too wet even though I only spray the tank lightly once or twice a day. You can see a few other posts I made about it on my main build thread too.

[deranged chipmunk]

It's very difficult to cause root rot to a syngonium. They grow more like a pothos or philodendron. Move it to a spot where it gets more might and it should make a comeback. Sometimes you just have to move plants around to find a spot they like.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[awelcome]

hmm... that could pose a problem... there isn't really a space in there to move it to that I see.

[flybyferns]

Maybe it's feet are not wet enough?
This plant could live in water.

I agree with Bill --- move it or simply take it out?

It will require more water than the broms on either side of it
Remember this species of PDF doesn't need broms
Low substrate crawling plants , leaf litter, and places to hide are very important for the frog.

[awelcome]

so if not root rot, what would cause the base of it to become soft and brown and the stems to just pull off so easily? I could try giving it MORE water... at this point I doubt I can do much worse to it lol, and if I have to lose it at least I would have tried everything.

[flybyferns]

Alicia,
If possible
Please post another pic of the tank ---here ......if you can.

[awelcome]

ok I went and took some closer pics of everything and different angles to hopefully give a full idea. And thanks so much for helping me through this! I wish my plant knowledge was better.... First pic I turned the hood light off to counter the glare, and the rest were with it on. I also opened up the curtains to let in as much light as possible. Second shot shows the yellow brom leaf.



On a side note... why can't I throw weeds in there... I'm GREAT with weeds! Just ask the bind weed in my front yard, or the periwinkle that has taken over much of my back flower beds....

[flybyferns]

No weeds lol!

Alicia......
Give it time! Let it grow for a few months or so

I can guarantee .. ... you will pulling plants to make room for new growth.
There's a lot in there.
Moving forward, you want to be sue all the plants are getting enough light as they grow.

Post another photo here in 3 or 4 weeks.
In the meantime....read about each plant species you purchased and used.

[deranged chipmunk]

I agree with Lynn. Let things grow. Take syngonium will grow eventually, it just needs time to break through to the light. I'll link you to a thread that shows a syngonium that was crowded and forced it's way to new growth.

Btw, periwinkle is not a weed!! I grow it on purpose!! Lol


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[awelcome]

Thanks, I just hope they make it another 3-4 weeks. I think you guys are underestimating my curse touch on plants! I know it seems tight in there, and it is, but unless things start growing like a jungle (which I hope to prune back if it gets too crazy) there are the perfect little paths around and at least she seems to be faring better than my plants. If I lose that back one entirely I may not put anything back there... that creeping charlie has almost reached that point and the broms are so open at this point I think it doesn't need one. What do you think?

I have read a bit on each type of plant (on Josh's Frogs) but I will try to do even more research. That is one reason I started worrying about the root rot... his write-ups said they like to stay moist, but not a very wet foot. Just to not let it dry out in between.

[deranged chipmunk]

Here's the thread I mentioned. It shows the incredible resiliency and determination of a plant that wants to grow.
http://www.frogforum.net/showthread.php?t=30628


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[awelcome]

LOL, the periwinkle was planted intentionally.. not by me though. It borders a large part of my back yard and looks nice there.... it just won't STAY there and it's root sytem and the way it grows takes over everything it gets near. I have another in the front that does the same thing, but I forget what the guy told it was called... it has dark and light leaves and is another low brush type thing.

[awelcome]

Just for fun, here are a couple shots of my yards.... TOTALLY overgrown at the moment because we've had a busy last couple weeks, and the weeds are too much for us to stay on top of generally. I also need to cut the grass, and rake up the leaves. But here are some shots that show the ivy I have in one corner of the yard (really nice and stays where it's at), the periwinkle in the other which spreads all over, and the bind weed and the light and dark leaf thing I mentioned out front. I am also throwing in a couple of ground cover plants I liked because I was wondering if something like that would be good in a vivarium? Especially a humid one? Not that I would pull these from outside, but if you started a plant from new, and didn't use fertilizers and such.... Oh and the ONE plant I ever planted that is mostly alive... I say mostly because it's not in great shape, but it has grown a lot and last year I did get blooms. It is a Miss Kim Lilac bush, given to me by my kids for Mother's day (DH didn't realize it wasn't the right climate for it here).

[deranged chipmunk]

That's not so bad. It just needs some maintenance. Of course, being a fern freak, I would plant a few under that tree.

I wanted to show you one of my Syngoniums. These are in separate tanks, but they are the same plant that I divided. The first one grows in the shade, partially submerged (no root rot) but grows ever so slowly. The second is in my growout tank, with good lighting, and it is 5 times the size.

Shaded:


Bright light:



Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[awelcome]

should I look for a higher watt bulb? It LOOKS bright in there, and I am not sure a higher wattage would make a difference just because parts of it are shaded by broms, but I don't know that much, so I could be wrong lol.

[DigitalPunk]

Wattage does not matter with plants. What matters is the "Color Temps" You want lights that say they are 6500K color temp.

You can plant to many plants in a given space and cause harm to al of them. They roots will feel crowded and the plants will simply die. Pull the brooms out and give the other plant amore room. Broms are cool and I like them, but in a tank this size they will HAVE to come out eventually..... no amount of pruning will keep it small enough.

Also you could consider removing the piece of wood in the tank. It is rather large for that tank and the space could be used for some moss or just plain ole leaf litter. You frog will appreciate some more open space as well as your plants. You can use the open space to deposit fruit flies in too

[awelcome]

I'd really like to keep the wood. It's the perfect place to feed her from, and she seems to be happy enough to hang out on it. It also adds a nice visual piece. I think I am just going to try to be patient for now and see how things unfold in a few weeks/months. If the broms get too big I might pull one, but for now they provide most of the cover in her enclosure since the plants are all so small still. They also add that height and filler look so it doesn't look so empty. She does like to sit on the green one from time to time too. I do appreciate all of everyone's advice though, and will keep these suggestions in mind if things don't improve/change with time. I am not sure on the temperature of the lights.... they may be 6500k. I will try to find the info if I can remember what it was exactly.