Speaking of vivips..... I saw the tutorial by Sean and then read as many other tutorials/comments as possible. I decided to trying growing a bunch of tropicals to donate to my watergardener group for our May plant sale. We're non profit and, with our sale & pond tour profits, give grants to public places (schools, parks, cancer center) for watergardens for education & meditation. I got a bunch (36) Panama Pacific vivips from a club member. They were already growing small roots in his pond, some still attached to the mother pad and some just floating around loose. I planted them in 16 oz plastic cups and, 1 week later, the nickel sized pads of the vivips I got are growing their own tiny vivips! Unbelievable.
My other vivips (Tina, Lindsey Woods) are doing great after a week also. I am putting them outside in AZ with 120 watt grow lights on from 6:00 pm to 9:00 am. In other words, they are getting 24 hours of light and growing substantial roots in a week. The sun keeps them warm in the day and the lights take over at night. I just got Queen of Siam and expect it to do just as well. Once these babies get potted I will cut the lights but heat the water to 70+ and see what happens.
I will be gone from home until the end of October, but I would be willing to swap some Panama Pacific (and maybe others) for vivips I don't have. I would keep the first plant of each type and then donate any others to the club. I don't know how you do this. Can you send babies and keep them alive?
If you respond to this, don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for awhile. I only have an ancient unreliable laptop and I am unsure of the hotel capabilities where I am going in Lincoln, NE. I am flying to MN, picking up my 94 year old mom, driving her to NE and spending about 10 days there with her at the German Wirehaired Pointer National Show & Field Trials and then driving on to AZ. Then after a day in AZ I head over to NM for a 2 week job followed by a bead retreat. However, my DH will be home tending the babies and watching them grow!