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Red Plants, Iron Dependant???
Why does the vast majority of the people in the industry claim red plants
need more light? I'm not disagreeing with you, but merely wondering why 95% of most people think red plants need more light? Even the so called "plant bible" (Kasselmann book) claims red plants need more light to prosper. Just wondering... Thanks, -- Craig Brye University of Phoenix Online " wrote in message om... Why would a red plant need more light than a green one? Red plants are found in deeper waters and also in deep jungles, most red plants are found in darker regions and are considered shade plants. Red Ludwigia is found very deep in some springs, the stuff growing by the surface might be green. I saw this today as a matter of fact. If the plant is in the same water, why would one be red at 18 ft and green at the surface? Red Wendtii was growing in a very shaded portion of the spring, Red ludwigia was growing in a very deep section of a river. The green plants were closer to high light than the red plants. I can grow red plants just fine at less light, so can most people. Red plants do not need more light than green plants, nor more iron. Why are many Crypts red? They do very well in shaded conditions. Plants often turn red when someone puts more light on them due to increases in growth rates and lack of Chlorophyll near the active new growth. The increased growth often lowers the available NO3 and reduces the Chlorophyll, which is rich in N wewreas anthocyanin, the red color pigment has no N. The effect of increased light or slight N limitation will cause the tips to turn red first. If you watch a red plant break the surface and grow above the water, it does in fact, turn green in the higher less filtered light. I think this myth is very difficult to support and I've not found it to be true in practical terms in aquariums. Some of the reddest plnts have come from lower light, 2w/gal of NO FL's in 24" deep tanks. You certainly cannot claim high light is the cause for red color as generalization. I wouldn't. Good nutrients, low N etc will promote red color, not high light and iron anymore than they do for green plants. Low N is a two edged sword with higher light also. It's easier to maintain a low stable N level that does not cause a deficiency, vs a higher light, faster uptake tank. Regards, Tom Barr |
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