[emily23]

Hi! I'm looking at making small water gardens as center
pieces for my wedding in July of next year. I have giant
brandy snifters (glass- they hold about a gallon of water
or a bit more). Is it possible to keep aquatic plants alive
in that much water? What sort of care/conditions would
they need? Can you recommend plants that would do
best? I'd prefer floating plants to potted ones, and
relatively small foliage. The top surface is about 6 inches
across. Thanks so much for your help!
~emily

[Bob]

Hi Emily. There are a number of plants that could be used here. As far as floating plants go, there are not very many to choose from. Frogbit (Limnobium) and Salvinia come to mind. Both should do well for the short time they will be in the snifters. You can also use "bunch" plants such as Cabomba piahuyensis (red Cambomba), Egeria, or Ambulia. While these are usually planted in the gravel, they can be left floating in the water. Hope this helps.
BTW, you can find all of the above-mentioned plants on our site. Just go to http://www.pets-warehouse.com/AquariumPlants.htm

[emily23]

Thanks for your reply, Bob. What I'd like to do is create a viable water garden that people could take home with them if they wanted to. The local garden center thought this was enough space for a small one, but I wanted to come to the experts (plus the local places have no aquatic plants this time of year so I'm glad to find your site- it's a great resource).

I would consider buring some plants in the bottom, if they can just be rotted under marbles or stones. I just don't have enough room for pots of soil.

Am I overzealous to think I could spend just 2 or 3 dollars per bowl on plants and make this work? I'd also write up a sheet of instructions for whomever took each bowl home. Do you have any care advice for that amount of water (sun exposure, changing water, etc.)?

Thanks again!
~emily

[brad]

Originally Posted by emily23

I would consider buring some plants in the bottom, if they can just be rotted under marbles or stones. I just don't have enough room for pots of soil.

The problem I see is that the plants probably would not do well long-term without some type of fertilization. Providing you added some type of aquairum-safe fertilizer, and gave the plants enough light (a south or east facing exposure), they should be fine. As to substrate, I'd advise gravel over marbles. Gravel comes in many different colors, so you should not have a problem finding one that matches your color scheme.

Originally Posted by emily23

Am I overzealous to think I could spend just 2 or 3 dollars per bowl on plants and make this work?.

You should be able to do it for that amount. You'd only need a few springs of bunch plants and a fwe floating plants per snifter.

Originally Posted by emily23

I'd also write up a sheet of instructions for whomever took each bowl home. Do you have any care advice for that amount of water (sun exposure, changing water, etc.)?

Simply put, you'd need to add fertilizer once every other week (just a small amount), and add water to make up for evaporation. Southern or eastern exposure is best.

Another throught: there are underwater ferns that wuld probably do wll for you. Best part is that they will grow well under ambient room light! I am thinking along the lines of African underwater fern (Bolbtis heudelittii). They aer more money than other plants, but they look very nice. If you go to this page http://www.pets-warehouse.com/plants/plantpic13.htm , it's the bottom right picture.

[emily23]

Thanks for that very comprehensive reply. I like those ferns. Is that for one plant (so $3.89 per bowl)? (I mean, is it something I can break up?)

Would you think just one of those would sufficiently fill the bowl?

Is it OK if they stick out of the water a little or should they be completely covered? (and how tall are they?)

Why are pebbles better than marbles?

I have no problem sending everyone home with a bottle of fertilizer. Would you recommend one in particular?

Are you guys sick of my questions yet?

Thank you!!
~emily