Tin Foil Hat So, is Tropica Aquarium Plants finally coming to the USA???

[Art]

There is A LOT of history to this that is tied to some of the biggest names in the hobby's past. I tried to get them into the USA with Clause Christensen back in the 90s but no-go.

This would be big news for US hobbyists as availability of healthy, aquarium-ready plants is THE limiting factor in expanding the hobby in the USA.

 

[Art]

Hmm, even trying to convert Mr. Saltwater Tank himself??

 

[Capraquaria]

I will try and get the lowdown. Thanks for sharing the booth number, I will check it out tomorrow!

 

[BenB]

I've been buying their cups for several years. Is this just the first time they've been to Aquashella?

Maybe they are opening a nursery here.

 

[Art]

I believe some have had access to the tissue cups from Tropica for years. It comes from their Canadian nursery, I believe.

What I have been wanting is their rooted, aquarium ready ones that are grown in rock wool and have never been available in the US. Our regulations require bare-root shipping into the US.

 

[BenB]

Yeah and maybe they won't come with Utricularia like that one other place sometimes does.

 

[FreshTides_Neal]

I have the answer to this but don't know if I'm allowed to say. I'm sure you could infer what that means from that.

 

[FreshTides_Neal]

What I will say is that as a retailer of Tropica plants, I have never experienced as high quality potted plants in the U.S before (the plants are grown in Washington and shipped to my store). In the past I've dealt with UNS (Buceplant) and the difference is night in day in terms of quality. Once you go Tropica you don't go back so I'll just say I think American aquatic plant lovers will be happy in the next couple of months.

 

[Art]

Thanks, Neal. I really appreciate it. I hope you promote your store here now and after Tropica's announcement.

There is a tremendous difference having to start a tank using tissue cultured plants versus potted plants. IMO, even having to convert an emersed, healthy plant into its submersed form is easier than growing tissue cultured plants that have not had enough growth to make the transition.

 

[FreshTides_Neal]

Thanks, Neal. I really appreciate it. I hope you promote your store here now and after Tropica's announcement.

There is a tremendous difference having to start a tank using tissue cultured plants versus potted plants. IMO, even having to convert an emersed, healthy plant into its submersed form is easier than growing tissue cultured plants that have not had enough growth to make the transition.

I totally agree, however the Tropica tissue cultures come in much more full and robust than other TCs I've used. Check out the roots on this Eleocharis pusilla that came in yesterday.

 

[Capraquaria]

I have been really happy with Tropica's plants, including their TC. I used a lot of it in my 150. In fact, almost all the plants in that tank were either Tropica, or ADA. What matters is who you purchase through (presuming you aren't one of the few that can order direct). Some retail vendors certainly don't handle Tropica's plants as well as others. I am just glad I left some room in my suitcase.

 

[BenB]

I get frustrated with the thin cellophane cover on Tropica tc. It very often is loose or comes loose and the plants rot very quickly. It isn't always obvious that a corner has come up when you buy it, or it comes up in shipping.

 

[Capraquaria]

Cat is clearly out of the bag. Juris posted this a little bit ago.

 

[BenB]

That's nice. I'm with Art, would be nice to have the potted plants though.

 

[FreshTides_Neal]

That's nice. I'm with Art, would be nice to have the potted plants though.

It's coming.

 

[FreshTides_Neal]

That's nice. I'm with Art, would be nice to have the potted plants though.

I don't know how to edit a comment. I'm actually most likely wrong about the potted plants, so sorry to get your hopes up.

 

[JayP]

Hopefully, there's a lot more to the news. Perhaps I'm missing something but while it wasn't as easy to find in stock across the US, Tropica 1-2 Grow was already available here, they just didn't have a major grow operation here.