Cryptocoryne Pontederiifolia Spathe Emersed

I recently saw my Cryptocoryne Pontederiifolia forming what I thought to be a spathe but was unsure until I saw it open today. I keep this plant in a high humidity dome with a basic computer fan running 24/7 to circulate the air/lower humidity as the two 23 watt CFL 6700k spiral bulbs I am using can get quite warm. In terms of substrate it is kept in a mixture of sheep manure, cow manure, worm castings, natural red clay, and cheap topsoil. I run the lights from 9:00am until 9:00pm and keep it on a timer so the plants have a “schedule” to follow as opposed to turning on/off the lights whenever I’m available, believe it or not a simple timer will save you many headaches.

Enjoy the pictures

 

  

Cryptocoryne Wendtii ‘Mi Oya’ Spathe Update 4

Here is the progress of the spathe forming on my Cryptocoryne Wendtii ‘Mi Oya’, if you look closely there is actually two spathes forming. I was surprised to see this plant flower again right after it just finished flowering, let alone send two spathes up this time, hopefully I can fertilize the plant & get a seed pod; it is my ultimate goal to try and grow a Cryptocoryne from Seed.

I will update with more pictures as the second spathe isn’t large enough yet for me to properly focus on with just a little point and shoot.