Florida Mangrove

[Zeeth]

I've been growing a mangrove in a pot for about 2 years. I water it with fresh water and it seems to be doing pretty well. This gave me an idea, When we went out to the beach I collected about 6 of mangrove pods from the mangroves. I put them in water and waited. I've had 2 start sending out green shoots, so I went out to the lake part of the swamp that I planted the Roystonea seeds in (where no mowers come, of course), dug two holes half in water and planted them. They're growing faster now, leaves starting to come out. I will plant the other 4 once they start sending up leaves. My question is this: Will these mangroves grow to maturity? Can mangroves grow in 100% freshwater, or do they require salt to thrive? I'm interested in what you guys have to say, as there's almost no information about growing these plants that I have found.

Keith.

[edbrown_III]

salinity enhances growth and allows the mangroves to thrive without competition with other plants- in a saline invironment the mangrove seedlings grow and wouldnt be overwhelmed by other plants and grass--- this is in the wild though

in cultivation its a different story as you would be weeding the beds to prvent faster growing weeds from overcoming them.

The other factor is diseases --- saline water would help kill any diseases that other wise might overcome the plants

Best regards

Ed

[rozpalm]

Keith, which species are you growing? I am growing red mangrove that I planted this year near the edge of my lake (actaully I made a small island for it. It is still very small and seems in no hurry to get big. The guy I got it from has several large red and black mangrove growing in fresh water and doing fine. He did say that it will grow much slower in fresh water though.

[Zeeth]

Keith, which species are you growing? I am growing red mangrove that I planted this year near the edge of my lake (actaully I made a small island for it. It is still very small and seems in no hurry to get big. The guy I got it from has several large red and black mangrove growing in fresh water and doing fine. He did say that it will grow much slower in fresh water though.

They are all red mangroves. So they grow slower, but I wonder if they will still grow to maturity, with silt roots and all. This part of the swamp has no Brazilian Pepper, so they won't have to compete with those monsters. It'd be neat to see this swamp in 20 years, with royal palms and mangroves and (if I ever find seeds) everglades palm. It'll be like a mini everglades.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Yes they will get stilt roots and all. Once the mangroves get established, be sure to point them out to the environmental agency in your county. They will then be protected from removal or encroachment by law. Just don't tell them YOU planted them. Maybe they came in on a pelican or something.

[Creekside]

It's not that mangroves require salinity, but that in a saline environment they are not outcompeted. We planted red mangroves four or five years ago behind our house (in brackish water) and they're only about four feet tall. The ferns are growing faster though, and are beginning to choke out the mangroves.

[Zeeth]

Yes they will get stilt roots and all. Once the mangroves get established, be sure to point them out to the environmental agency in your county. They will then be protected from removal or encroachment by law. Just don't tell them YOU planted them. Maybe they came in on a pelican or something.

Haha, I'll make sure to do that.

"Yeah, uhhh we've got some mangrove trees in this lake in front of my house, musta been dropped by a pelican or seagull or something. It's the darnedest thing"

Maybe they'll make the lake and swamp a protected environment and the royals I planted will be set for life.

[SubTropicRay]

I've got a 2 year old Red Mangrove growing in fresh water that has had no problems. I grabbed the seed just to see if it would germinate in mucky, fresh water conditions and it's still around today.

[Eric in Orlando]

all 3 mangroves native to FL will grow in fresh water. We them planted in the lake here.

[Zeeth]

Well, I got 100 more Royal seeds from a 60+ foot tall royal in downtown bradenton. I went ahead and threw the seeds into the swamp with the fruit still on, that way they'll float on the water until they hit some muck or something where they can germinate. While I was out there, I took pictures of the mangroves I've got planted. Three are in the ground, 2 have popped and are sending out shoots, and one is starting to pop, but has about a week or 2 to go before the shoot comes out. By that time, I think at least one will send out leaves. I accidently let the water the others were soaking in go stagnant (had debris in it) so I think the other 3 are goners. The next time I go to the beach, I'll collect some more mangrove pods (they are usually floating in the water at this time of year). I want to get 10 mangroves in there. I'll have to get my machete out so I can clear a path through the tall grass to get to these guys, as they're planted at the very far corner, over 10 yards past where the mowers stop mowing, so I have to walk through tall grass to get to these guys. Well, here's pictures so far:

All 3:

First one I planted, it had a few weeks before the leaves come out:

Second one planted, same deal with first:

Third one planted, it has at least a few days for the shoots to come out:

I'll post pics when I see leaves too, until then

Keith

Edit: I forgot to mention, although these look like they're on dry land, the roots are well within the water table. Also, there's a fourth one planted somewhere along the lake, but I have lost track of it, so I have no idea where it is.

Edited July 31, 2009 by Zeeth

[Jose Maria]

I agree completely with the comments that mangrove plants dont "need " the sea salt, but are able to outcompete those plants that are sensitive to salt...

I remember a chemical soil analysis of mangrove soils; they are about the richest soils around, have all the elements in larger quantities than "dryland" soils right next to them.

But because of the lack of drainage and salt, are no good for farming.

I would suggest fertilizing and weeding too ,for the "lakeside" mangrove trees.

[Dave-Vero]

Mangroves have special physiological adaptations for living in saline environments. The plumbing systems of plants are powered by evaporation from the leaves, which creates suction in the wood that causes water to move from the soil into the leaves. That works easily in fresh water, but takes specialized physiological mechanisms to handle salt.

Red mangroves make nice indoor potted or vase plants, perhaps in combination with a few fish. So Floridians should mail those sprouted seeds to friends in the temperate zone.