I purchased one a couple of weeks ago. A few leaves browned and I
snipped those off. Sunday I noticed a flower spike (exciting for me -
first time to have anything bloom). It grew to the surface of the
water (24 inches) in a day and a half. I lowered the water level so I
have an inch of clearance from the water line to the lucite cover. It
has continued to grow - but not up and out of the water. Instead it
has bent over and is growing along just under the water surface. If I
stretch it out of the water it is a good 10 inches taller than the
water line. Is this normal? I expected it to go a little above the
water line and produce a flower.

Also a few questions, if this is normal - how long until it flowers?
how long does the flower last? Does anyone know where I can find a
picture of the flower on-line? I've searched several websites ... I
haven't been able to find much info on the flowers - but I get the
impression that having one produce a spike and flower is common.

Thanks so much,
Cindy

Lucky you!

Try:
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plant.../msg00088.html
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Plants/Aponogeton.html#13
http://www.animalnetwork.com/aquafish/reference/g7.asp





Also a few questions, if this is normal - how long until it flowers?
how long does the flower last? Does anyone know where I can find a
picture of the flower on-line? I've searched several websites ... I
haven't been able to find much info on the flowers - but I get the
impression that having one produce a spike and flower is common.

--
Sherry Michael Weller
SAS Distributed Desktop Support
www.psych.upenn.edu/~sherrym

Ours has done just the same. I swear you can watch those things grow. It
grew all over the watersurface and then suddenly produced a flower.

The flower is above water, and they are self-germinating (just brush over it
with a fine paint brush). If you manage to get berries, you will get new
plants....

Thanks for the tip. Now (a few days since my original post) the stalk
has thickened at the top and has risen out of the water - touching the
plastic barrier. The flower bud has thickened as well. Looks like it
may actually bloom!
Cindy