I'm starting up a planted tank (new to the hobby) and haven't had the best luck shipping in plants. I've been hesitant to go to a local store because of the pandemic. Stores don't really seem to detail their plant selection on their websites and I don't feel comfortable shopping around multiple stores, in-person at the moment. Out of the fish stores listed on the Resource page, are there any that offer a particularly noteworthy selection of, or have any focus directed toward freshwater aquarium plants? Or do you just have to hit up multiple stores to see what they have?
Thanks for the help!
I think your best bet is to get plants from local fishkeepers. But if you want to go to a store, I'd suggest Londontowne Tropicals near Annapolis or Nova Tropicals in Dale City.
Hi! I'm also a member of GWAPA and I have some plants available. I have some Windelov that I could sell you. I live in Reston if you are interested!!!
Arlene
What kind of light do you have? I got some java fern from a GWAPA member, and if it doesn't die, I can give you some. But honestly, I haven't had the best luck with java fern. I do great with crypts. I believe Monte carlo will need high light, and CO2 to do well.
Another helpful resource is YouTube, "George Farmer"
I looked into that previously (to be honest I *might* have gotten GWAPA and PVAS mixed up in a google search when I came here- but looking at it now I've definitely been on GWAPA's website). It's something I considered but right now I just have the one tank, with no plans to expand any time soon so I'm not sure it makes a ton of sense.
The advice I've found online has been to try a bunch of different plants and see what sticks with your water and the level of care you can provide as a beginner. I've mostly been sticking with "easy" plants. Unfortunately I didn't check the weather nationwide a couple weeks ago and ordered at the worst possible time.
I had a small batch of Ludwigia Arcuata, Crypt Wendtii Green, Hemainthus Micranthemoides UNS Tissue Culture and Alternanthera Reineckii Rosanervig Tissue Culture arrive cold and in rough shape last week. That's all planted, but I'm not sure how well it's doing or what will make it long term. I was particularly bummed as being a beginner, I feel it's hard to gauge how much of it going wrong is the condition they arrived in, and me.
I had another order of Cyrpt Lucens, Hydrocotyle Tripartita, Windelov java fern, monte carlo and a Pogostemon Stellatus Octopus never show up.
I've since ordered another batch of hornwort, thor's hammer java fern, java fern, christmas moss, and some more ludwigia arcuata that has yet to ship.
I'm primarily looking for the windelov java fern and monte carlo, and maybe a few crypts, but would also enjoy seeing what else is out there in-person.
TLDR: windelov java fern and monte carlo in particular.
Join GWAPA.
What plants are you looking for?
House of Tropicals in Glen Burnie. Call ahead to find out when they restock plants. They have a large section of plants.