A Japanese Garden

[Eboeagles]

Ok, I'm about to get my new Nano this weekend -  a Dennerle 30L (or maybe 20L) and I'm dreaming... or is it planning!?

After a recent visit to Kew Gardens I was more than inspired by the Japanese Garden and Alpine House (although there were many other amazing gardens and scapes to marvel at).  If you don't know Kew they also have quite a few  aquariums but in comparison to the gardens they are pretty disappointing and I think someone with scaping skill should approach them to improve these and bring them in line with the normal gardens - a sponsorship opportunity for someone that owns a shop me thinks...

Anyway to cut a long story short I want to create a type of Japanese garden - obviously in theory this is done to the max (after all most of the best aquascapers come from Japan & the far east etc) but to me this idea tends to lean more towards the Dutch style?  Another influence was a book in the shop called 'A Japanese Touch To Your Garden'  which while obviously for normal gardens was very interesting  and made me want to try to apply some of the techniques to an aquarium.

So based on this Japanese garden I really like I'm thinking of attempting a hugely ambitious scape as per the attached. I haven't tried a physical layout as yet and I need to find rocks that will work, but as I didn't plan my first tank in the slightest it already feels like I'm ahead of the game with this one (famous last words I know)!! So please have a look and let me know your thoughts on the plant layout etc and how you think I could achieve the look I'm after...
 

[frosties]

for the deep red colouration on the right hand side... get a tall crypt such as the C. Blassiii special!

[Alex]

I think we have star moss growing wild at the paintball site!

[ghostsword]

I think we have star moss growing wild at the paintball site!

Fancy selling some? I am always on the look out for some moss, be it terrestrial or aquatic.


.

[Alex]

I'll see if I can get some to Frosties at some point... No guarantee when it'll be though.

[Alex]

Is this the stuff?

[Eboeagles]

for the deep red colouration on the right hand side... get a tall crypt such as the C. Blassiii special!

Looking on your site Tony that crypt doesnt look that amazing but googling for a different image I think your spot on - it even has the feel of a tree in some pics - you may want to change your picture on the PT site!! I'm going to start putting my final plant list together in the next week or so, so I'll mail you for some advice on quantities etc.

Alex that moss looks pretty amazing but rather larger than the pics i've seen of star moss online (never seen it in the flesh)! Even so though get it over to one of the guys to try and then we can all start buying it off you!

[Alex]

It is quite big, I did a search for it as well on the net and seems there is some debate on it's submerse life span, this stuff grows in quite dry conditions, so it may be a subspecies? It's also quite hard to find now too due to a growth spert in the Bracken. I'll keep my eye out for more.   

[Alex]

some images above and below the water...

http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1016&bih=601&q=star+moss&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=g2&aql=&oq=

[ghostsword]

Is this the stuff?

That would be pretty cool to have. Will buy or swap for plants. :)

Or tell me where it is and I'll go with a box!


.

[Alex]

PM me your address and I'll try and get some out to you... Just pay postage, not sure how much it'll be so I'll have to let you know.

[bigmatt]

star moss is often sold as an aquatic moss but doesn't do well submerged. In those spots i'd think about a bed of staurogyne repens - which is lovely when trimmed low, maybe with some marsilea hirsuta to add a little texture. Or if you're feeling brave you could try HC! Pogostemon Helferi would look nice too, or i'm going to give hydrocotyle maritima a go as that is meant to carpet nicely as well. M

[ghostsword]

PM me your address and I'll try and get some out to you... Just pay postage, not sure how much it'll be so I'll have to let you know.

Thanks, will do so.

The moss is to be used emersed, on small pots.


.

[Alex]

The postage will be pence so free to you...

[Eboeagles]

star moss is often sold as an aquatic moss but doesn't do well submerged. In those spots i'd think about a bed of staurogyne repens - which is lovely when trimmed low, maybe with some marsilea hirsuta to add a little texture. Or if you're feeling brave you could try HC! Pogostemon Helferi would look nice too, or i'm going to give hydrocotyle maritima a go as that is meant to carpet nicely as well. M

Yep on more research star moss is out, so I think Peacock moss is in (left front at least) as it has the look of a fern - anyone used that before?

Re the HC I've had a go in my current tank and while it hasnt melted it hasnt really spread and in fact most pieces have grown a bit leggy - I still end up with bits floating most morning as well so I've pulled most of it out and am growing it emersed (and it seems to be doing well)! I like the idea of maybe growing some HC in a bush - I've heard some of you grow it on wood / rocks - how is this done? Is it similar to moss in technique? it feels rather delicate in comparison so I'm not sure I have the skills...