Journal Sreepadma GroWoW! Test Tank: New plants, are they legit?

[le.nella]

Hello everyone! Today I am starting a new little forum on the new tissue cultures in the United States; Sreepadma GroWoW! tissue cultures. For starters, these tissue cultures were introduced into the United States in August of 2024. Although there was some excitement for them, there was some wondering if these new plants, such as Rotala macrandra 'Mini Gold' or Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Jwala' was an actual new plant or was just some random name the company put on the plant, such as ADA doing Cryptocoryne 'Pink Panther'.

Thus, here is my tank, using all the new (current) tissue culture plants from their GroWoW product line.


Tank Specifications
- UNS 90U
- Oase Biomaster 600
- Oase Skimmer
- Neo Flow Lily Pipes 16/22
- Week Aqua P900
- Mastersoil and UNS Controsoil mix (may plan to try this again using APT aquasoil when it releases)
- RO water
- co2art regulator with 5lb tank ( I want to upgrade later)

Dosing and Regime
- 50% water change every week, same day
- 3:1 Mg Ca when water changed
- 3x pumps of NilocG Thrive+
- turns on 1950 and turns off 0450
- CO2 blasted to the max pretty much

Day Zero (0)
I'm going to be honest, I did not take a good picture on the first day. I only took this photo to send to my friends. I will add in future photos the species to each plant.
I did not have enough of the tissue cultures (different sp.) to plant them all around. Therefore, there was a huge space near the front for the first few weeks.


Week One(1)
For the first week, I was worried. Although some plants looked nice and were starting to color up, some others appeared to be struggling.
The one plant that did seem most promising was the Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Jwala'. It had been starting to color up the most out of all plants.


Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Jwala' starting to get a little coloration.

Here, this Rotala sp. was looking great. Starting to color up, but a few pieces were looking a little sad.


As for this Rotala sp., it appears to be pretty sad and doesn't seem to have much to grow of. I was getting worried these plants were not thriving.

 

[le.nella]

Week Two (2)
This week, a lot more had decided to color up. I had been a little more hopeful, and the actual photo here of the Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Jwala' had shown excitement across other social medias I posted. It seems people had a little more confidence now. I also was more confident (I was at the start, just a little worried) that these were 100% plants were have not yet seen here.


Cryptocoryne spiralis 'Jwala' , looking very happy and starting to color up well.

As far as growth with other plants other than the very beautiful Cryptocoryne, it seems the other plants were very happy as well.


Photo 1: Plants coloring up well.
Photo 2: Top view of the right corner, the thickest plant is Rotala macrandra 'compact'.
Photo 3: Rotala 'Blood Red' SG variant seeming to be true SG.

At this point, it seemed like I was able to differentiate the plants decently well. The one issue was wondering if they would look like the actual coloration on the actual tissue culture photo, as Rotala sp. 'Big Bear' looked more... well thick and like a big bear, but in my tank was looking like a needle leaf Rotala. More pictures on this below.




Week Three (3)
At this point, it seems like the plants were focusing more on coloring up, or perhaps the water temperature has gotten colder, especially since it is turning to winter. But it should technically not, since the room temperature was pretty hot. Not sure. The best looking plant though, by far, was the Rotala macrandra 'Compact'.


Made this picture bigger on purpose. It looks great. It has a few additions ( I cheated a little I apologize).


Left: Left side of the tank, looking nicer.
Right: Right side looking nice as ever.


Added a few new plants. Not pictured is Ludwigia inclinata 'Tornado', in the left photo is Bacopa marble, and in the right photo is Bacopa white and Anubias pinto.

To be honest, I was really happy at this point. I did order some new plants off of Aquarium Plants Factory, mainly because I wanted to get Alternanthera Reineckii Mini Variegated. Although, once I get another order of GroWoW! I will definitely add more. I do plan on adding their (I believe) newest addition: Hemianthus Micranthemoides 'White' aka white pearl weed!

 

[HardeeParty]

Jeez flex much?

Welcome aboard.

 

[le.nella]

Week Four (4)
This is the current week for this journal. I currently am doing everything the same. I am very surprised how well I have been on top of routine, but I believe having the tank turn on an hour after I get out of college really reminds me to fertilize. I did not mention this, but in the cups on the side, I am trying to grow some seeds out. There have actually been a few plants that have germinated. I believe all the Xyris seeds have germinated. Through, I am not sure in what order... yes I forgot again.. *sigh* (I had a bin and the plants got mixed up).


Those little stems you see are actually Xyris, I believe Xyris sp. Mini.
The whole list is:
- Xyris Pauciflora
- Xyris Indica
- Xyris sp. Mini
- Xyris Torta (which I have not yet submerged)

There are also a lot more seeds in there, such as Blyxa Kasragodensis, Blyxa Aubertii Leiosperma, Blyxa Aubertii Echinosperma, and Eriocaulon Heterolepis Wayand. There should be a few more but I must've forgotten.
Finally, here are the pictures for this week, with a picture having species names.


Left: plants are really coloring up, though I am not sure how the Bacopa Marble is doing. I have emersed some just in case.
Middle: You can see how the Rotala macrandra compact has really colored up, along with the Bacopa SG.
Right: Top view of the plants. Top left is mini butterfly, top right is compact, and bottom right is bacopa sg.


FTS; very beautiful. My current favorite photo of this tank!!


FTS + Scientific names.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments, and see you next week!
Also, let me know what other plants you think I should add.
As a sneak peak, these are what I plan to add when I get the next GroWoW! order:
- Eriocaulon quinquangulare
- Cryptocoryne Sreepadma Sindoor
- Hemianthus Micranthemoides White (white pearl weed)
- Pogostemon Helferi Marble
- Pogostemon Helferi White
- Micranthemum 'montecarlo' , as well as Micranthemum 'white'
- HC cuba and HC cuba white ?
- Tonina Fluviatilis (or as USDA likes to call it; Paepelanthus)

 

[le.nella]

Jeez flex much?

Welcome aboard.

Thank you sir. I have had an account for a little bit but I was too busy haha.
Let's not talk about flexing haha

 

[le.nella]

Also, I did want to note, I have had people with Sreepadma GroWoW tissue cultures that have actually successfully propagated Sindoor, Pogostemon marble and a few others! So it CAN be done!

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I’d love to see Sindoor actually grown out

 

[Art]

First, welcome! thanks for sharing what you’re doing and documenting it so well. It’s awesome.

Second, I think more of this type of sharing is important. I just re-scaped and was disappointed with some of the tissue culture cups I was sent by a very reputable company. The cups were from ADA’s TC line and it seemed that they had taken too much of a beating coming from Japan to the US and then to me. Sadly, the Hygrophila pinnatifida UK was basically mush. I tried to save the tubers and see if I can grow them back.

If we find a place that has fresh TC cups available in the USA, we should promote the heck out of it. I will be checking these out.

 

[le.nella]

First, welcome! thanks for sharing what you’re doing and documenting it so well. It’s awesome.

Second, I think more of this type of sharing is important. I just re-scaped and was disappointed with some of the tissue culture cups I was sent by a very reputable company. The cups were from ADA’s TC line and it seemed that they had taken too much of a beating coming from Japan to the US and then to me. Sadly, the Hygrophila pinnatifida UK was basically mush. I tried to save the tubers and see if I can grow them back.

If we find a place that has fresh TC cups available in the USA, we should promote the heck out of it. I will be checking these out.

I have found them to be good. It seems that they prefer really good conditions. They also seem to take a little while to get going, but it seems perhaps I just haven't used tissue cultures in a long time? Some seem to be a little more sensitive than others (ie Hygophila pinnatifida UK was very hardy and didn't die in a different tank but I did lose some Rotala sp..[in the same tank], but I think it may have been due to tank instability).

Likely the ADA ones were sent out right away after arriving to the US. I actually did have a few cups that looked a little sad when they arrived. I left them under light and they actually grew fast + came out looking amazing. Even the Eriocaulon quinquangulare, it seems that their culture media is really healthy, because the quin has been growing very fast in the cup. I want to see if they are planning / working on other Eriocaulon sp.
The biggest thing is the price. Overall, I think people just need to realize that you're paying for better quality and usually bigger cups. I.e., ADA has Rotala macrandra mini butterfly for 10 bucks and the GroWoW is 13 but the GroWoW is a large cup (compared to the small cup of ADA) that is usually filled to the top with plants.

Also, yes. I think there just needs to be more recognition for this brand coming into the United States.

 

[ElleDee]

@le.nella, are you affiliated with this brand?

 

[le.nella]

@le.nella, are you affiliated with this brand?

Yes, USA distributor.

 

[Art]

I’ve spoken with @le.nella who has agreed to be a site partner for us. It’s always been our mission to support small businesses (and any large ones) that support our hobby. I think it behooves every aquarist to support these businesses as it’s a win/win for everyone.

Our site partner program allows supporting businesses to have their own forum to discuss and promote their products freely. This, along with their member tag, allows everyone to know they are not only a hobbyist but also a business owner representing a product. As such, everyone is free to determine whether you believe their posts are biased or not because full disclosure is made.

I find this to be a good compromise to promote discussion of products by knowledgeable members.

Also, our site partner program is free. By not charging for this, I feel ScapeCrunch retains its independence and meets our collective commitment to each other to be honest and transparent. After all, we are all in it together and building ScapeCrunch as our common, online home.

@le.nella, thanks for joining us here and for bringing these new plants into the US market. Looking forward to learning more in your forum (that will be set up shortly). However, please feel free to participate in any discussion on this site also.

All the best,

Art

 

[Sean Riva]

Week Four (4)
This is the current week for this journal. I currently am doing everything the same. I am very surprised how well I have been on top of routine, but I believe having the tank turn on an hour after I get out of college really reminds me to fertilize. I did not mention this, but in the cups on the side, I am trying to grow some seeds out. There have actually been a few plants that have germinated. I believe all the Xyris seeds have germinated. Through, I am not sure in what order... yes I forgot again.. *sigh* (I had a bin and the plants got mixed up).

View attachment 6266
Those little stems you see are actually Xyris, I believe Xyris sp. Mini.
The whole list is:
- Xyris Pauciflora
- Xyris Indica
- Xyris sp. Mini
- Xyris Torta (which I have not yet submerged)

There are also a lot more seeds in there, such as Blyxa Kasragodensis, Blyxa Aubertii Leiosperma, Blyxa Aubertii Echinosperma, and Eriocaulon Heterolepis Wayand. There should be a few more but I must've forgotten.
Finally, here are the pictures for this week, with a picture having species names.

View attachment 6267View attachment 6268View attachment 6269
Left: plants are really coloring up, though I am not sure how the Bacopa Marble is doing. I have emersed some just in case.
Middle: You can see how the Rotala macrandra compact has really colored up, along with the Bacopa SG.
Right: Top view of the plants. Top left is mini butterfly, top right is compact, and bottom right is bacopa sg.

View attachment 6270
FTS; very beautiful. My current favorite photo of this tank!!

View attachment 6271
FTS + Scientific names.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments, and see you next week!
Also, let me know what other plants you think I should add.
As a sneak peak, these are what I plan to add when I get the next GroWoW! order:
- Eriocaulon quinquangulare
- Cryptocoryne Sreepadma Sindoor
- Hemianthus Micranthemoides White (white pearl weed)
- Pogostemon Helferi Marble
- Pogostemon Helferi White
- Micranthemum 'montecarlo' , as well as Micranthemum 'white'
- HC cuba and HC cuba white ?
- Tonina Fluviatilis (or as USDA likes to call it; Paepelanthus)

Want to order 3 of those types x10 in a few months…

 

[Yugang]

Also, our site partner program is free. By not charging for this, I feel ScapeCrunch retains its independence and meets our collective commitment to each other to be honest and transparent. After all, we are all in it together and building ScapeCrunch as our common, online home.

What a great strategy and decision @Art, thank you.

 

[HardeeParty]

“I’ve spoken with @le.nella who has agreed to be a site partner for us. It’s always been our mission to support small businesses (and any large ones) that support our hobby. I think it behooves every aquarist to support these businesses as it’s a win/win for everyone.”

Art

I support bringing back “behooves” to modern cultural vernacular.

 

[Art]

I support bringing back “behooves” to modern cultural vernacular.

LOL yes, I'm old and a lawyer.

 

[le.nella]

Want to order 3 of those types x10 in a few months…

They will always be here !

As a little sneak peak, there is a new Hygrophila Pinnatifida variant coming too...!
They also finally have Hygrophila Chai in stock too so I will get some of those!

 

[le.nella]

Back to posting on here, I have been very busy for school. I also am procrastinating on an assignment I have to do tomorrow morning... I will do that after this post haha.

First, wanted to update on the Xyris sp. that has been growing.

Yes, unfortunately I do have a little bit of algae growing. I think, although I do not like how it looks, I am going to let it pass, without touching it. I may buy some plants other than the caridina that will arrive (so I can have them chew up the algae).
The Xyris looks great! Finally getting bigger. I still believe this is Xyris sp. mini, and I want to flower it later to see what it may be. Maybe I may ask the guy for the pictures.


Besides the algae, here is some pics of the plants.

middle: Rotala macrandra mini gold
right : Rotala Macrandra narrow leaf

Seems like there is a somewhat small difference in 'color' when it comes to narrow leaf and mini gold. Maybe someone else can grow it a little better? However, the leaves on narrow leaf are narrow and long. The mini gold is still my favorite sreepadma plant.


Left: Cuphea anagalloidea
Middle: Rotala macrandra mini butterfly

Mini butterfly looks insane. Yes, I am a burple guy, deal with it haha. @Jhardee85 you need to lmk how these plants look in your set up if you're not running strong burple.
The Cuphea is also finally getting color.


Rotala macrandra 'compacta'

This plant also is doing very well. The internodes are very small, I would like to grow regular macrandra in here to see the difference. BTW I did not turn the exposure up, these plants look this vibrant in person (with the help of burple, but regardless haha).

Finally, there is this plant, which seems like Blyxa sp., which I sure hope so. I have some Blyxa kasragodensis seeds in here I am hoping germinate soon, but also some other ones, such as leiosperma and echinosperma.

I doubt this is an Eriocaulon, but time will tell.


The biggest bush of all..

Even with selling about 30 stems, this Pogostemon stellatus Dassen bush has grown like crazy.

As for plants that I would love to add in here, here's the list. I am making an order soon on the GroWoW plants so hopefully I can add some of these with good success
- Tonina fluviatilis
- Pogostemon helferi marble
- Micranthemum tweedei 'white'
- Hemianthus micranthemoides 'cuba white'
- Limnophila aquatica 'dwarf'
- Hygrophila chai
- Hygrophila pinnatifida 'roseus'
- Hemianthus callitrichoides 'white' (Micranthemum glomeratum 'white')
- Glossostigma elatinoides 'platinum'
- Eriocaulon quinquangulare
- Cryptocoryne Sreepadma Sindoor
- Cryptocoryne wendtii Pink
- Cryptocoryne silvadasanii
- Cryptocoryne pygmi
- Cryptocoryne crispatulata var. 'tonkinesis'

Hopefully these all fit... hahaha


Finally, I leave you with this picture, a picture of last week's water change. Beautiful colors and differences in texture, shape, color, etc.

 

[HardeeParty]

“@Jhardee85 you need to lmk how these plants look in your set up if you're not running strong burpl”

We shall see.

 

[Art]

Finally, I leave you with this picture, a picture of last week's water change. Beautiful colors and differences in texture, shape, color, etc.
View attachment 6520

So you're killing me with the last picture. I don't know what I like more - the plants (awesome), the glass bubble grow outs or the Python! Probably all of them.

Great job!