Aquatic Plants

HYGROPHILA POLYSPERMA
Hygrophila polysperma is a amphibious plant from the Indo-Malayan region. The aquatic form has an up to 50 cm long stem with opposed leaves very variable in shape and colour. The leaves of the emergent plants are narrower and dark green. It forms bright green tufts which grow towards the surface with good light. H polysperma has no particular demands as to bottom, being very sturdy and adaptive. Sand with a little mud and clay added is sufficient for 2-3 years of good growth when left alone, and the growth always benefits from CO2 enrichment of the water. Therefore it does not have a great tolerance for plants that have needs for alkaline water. Hygrophila polysperma is one of the easiest plants to propagate – all parts of the plant is able to root and form a new plant. Even a free-floating leaf will eventually form a new plant.

These plant are recognised as some of the most beautiful and robust aquarium plant on the market.

Part of the world .. South-east Asia
Temperature .. 18-30ºC
pH tolerance .. acid-basic

Hygrophila Polysperma

Other varieties are available as above.
H Polysperma “rosanervig”

SAGITTARIA SUBTULATA–DWARF SAG
Family Alismataceae
Region America
Country of origin South America
Height 5-30+ cm
Width 10-15 cm
Light requirements low-very high
Temperature 16-28 °C
Hardness tolerance soft-very hard
pH tolerance 6-9
Growth fast
Demands easy

Sagittaria subulata is an ideal, undemanding foreground plant whose short runners form a compact group. Place individual plants 2-4 cm apart. This plant may cause problems because in certain conditions it suddenly grows to a height of 50 cm when it grows older. But if it is then moved into the background it may become low again. In the aquarium it sometimes sends a long flower stem to the surface, and small white flowers unfold just above the water surface.
In order to achieve strong growth the substrate should contain iron, while light is less important. Planted in a group or as a standalone this aquarium plant can be striking. It can grow well in both hard and slightly soft water. Optimum growth temperature is 64.4 to 82.4 degrees, but it can withstand temps from very low to 84 degrees.
Sagittaria subulata requires low to high lighting (1.5 – 4 watts/gal), grows quickly and propagates by runners which will form a dense grouping producing 2 – 3 leaves and one runner per 2-3 weeks.

BOLBITIS HEUDELOTII
Common Name(s) – Congo or African fern
Scientific name – Bolbitis heudelotii
Family: Lomariopsidaceae
Geographic origin – Africa
Type (stem, bulb, rhizome, floating, etc.) – Rhizome
Max. size (height, width) – Up to 50cm (20 inches)
Lighting required – low-moderate, but adaptable
Temperature – 22-28 degree C
Water chemistry requirements (pH, hardness) – An undemanding species that will grow in a variety of habitats
Growth rates – slow
Demands – Appreciates an aquarium with a strong current. Grows much faster with CO2 injection.
Bolbitis heudelotii is a naturally slow growing amphibious fern and can survive well under very weak light. However, it is most beautiful under bright light.
Leaves grown under bright lights are smaller and compact while leaves grown under low lights will be longer and big but more sparse. Water temperatures must always be kept low (below 28 oC) and this plant will thrive. Growth is optimal by supplying a current, CO2 and soft, slightly acidic water.
Care must be taken not to cover the rhizome as it will rot. The most common method is to tie them to wood or rocks.

ROTALA ROTUNDIFOLIA

Hardiness: Easy
Light Needs: Medium
Plant Structure: Stem
Family: Lythraceae
Genus: Rotala
Region: Asia
Growth Rate: Fast
Can Be Grown Emersed: Yes

Description
The Latin name Rotala rotundifolia,means ”the plant with the round leaves”. But this only applies to the emersed growth, which has circular leaves. In aquariums Rotala rotundifolia has long, thin leaves. Unlike other Rotala species it is relatively undemanding, although it needs good light to produce red leaves. It forms side shoots willingly, becoming compact and bushy. This also means that it is hard for light to reach the lower leaves, so the plant should be pruned frequently.

Lighting: Will do well under medium lighting, but will grow mostly green. Under higher lighting, about three watts per gallon of flourescent light, this rotala species will grow pink and less leggy.
Propagation: Cuttings longer than three or four inches are best to ensure it an easy transition.

Care: Rotala rotundifolia is not picky, unlike some other Rotala species, and doesn’t need the high tech setup to grow well. However to get its best growth and color, high light, CO2, and a good fertilizer schedule will help.

ANUBIAS

Anubias is a genus of aquatic and semi-aquatic flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical central and western Africa. They primarily grow in rivers and streams, but can also be found in marshes. They are characterized by broad, thick, dark leaves that come in many different forms.Species can be determined by using mostly characteristics of the inflorescence(flowers).

Reproduction and uses
Anubias are commonly used in aquariums, usually attached to rocks or bogwood. In contrast to most plants, Anubias generally prefer subdued lighting and can also produce flowers underwater. In the aquarium they should be placed in shaded areas, otherwise algae will develop on the leaves.

Anubias are considered by many aquarists some of the easiest plants to maintain, since their light and nutrient requirements are very low and also because herbivorous fish will not eat it. This is why Anubias are some of the few plants which can be used in aquariums with African cichlids and goldfishes.

Reproduction in artificial environments can be accomplished by rizome division or from side shoots. The rizome must always be above the substrate in order to survive, otherwise it will rot and the plant dies. It is also possible to propagate Anubias by seed

The natural growth rate of all species in this genus is rather slow. Usually, they produce a leaf every 3 weeks, or even slower. Unfortunately, these are also among the few plants that do not respond to CO2 addition.
Anubias can best be grown emersed (above water). For this reason they may be used in paludariums.

Anubias barteri var. nana
Synonym: Anubias nana
Dwarf, creeping, with heart-shaped leaves
Leaf-stem: up to 5 cm long
Leaves: up to 6 cm long and 3 cm wide
Height in aquarium: 5 – 10 cm
Optimal conditions:
Temperature: 22 – 27 °C
pH: 5.5 – 9.0
Water hardness: 3 – 10 dGH
Usual growth rate: one leaf every month or so