It seems to me that if the object is to use them as a means of nutrient export then there are all sort of rules to follow.. also, pruning becomes suggestive of a means of "nutrient export" as opposed to "nutrient sink." Only speaking for myself, I'm not looking to these for anything other than the novelty factor. I think mangroves are as nice a shrub/small tree as, say, an arboricola or a ficus, it's just that they're tolerant of saltwater. So I'm content to let mine grow leaves, when the time comes. I'm just looking for a mangrove for the point of a mangrove. I think a mangrove habitat would be a really neat aquarium project. BTW Anthony Calfo's book has some neat suggestions for mangrove habitats.
Right now I just have mine floating in the styrofoam pad... only about 1" or 2" submerged I'd say. The leaves are coming, albeit slowly (more evidence of them cracking through). But the roots that they have are pretty impressive (well ... I think so anyways..). The 3 that I have that are active, have some roots up to 6" I think and each of them easily have half a dozen or so individual roots. Only one of the five I purchased turned brown and mushy ... there is another that is doing nothing, neither growing roots nor turning brown or mushy. I have that one completely submerged for now. The other 3 are doing just fine it seems. Eventually I was thinking of constructing some kind of dedicated display for them (once there is something to display, of course). We'll see how that goes ....
