If you have never heard of such a name as echinodorus, then now you will be surprised, because if your house has an aquarium, then you are definitely familiar with it. This is one of the most common crops used to decorate artificial ponds. For the first time this plant was described back in 1881, today 47 species are known that are surprising in their shapes, colors and sizes.
In its natural habitat, this plant grows in Central and South America. Favorite places of the aquarium plant Echinodorus are marshlands and the banks of water bodies, both well-lit and shaded.
Attractiveness, supported by unpretentiousness in care, has made the culture very popular as a decor for a home aquarium.
What does echinodorus look like and what is it characterized by?
The plant belongs to the family Chastuhovye. This is a perennial marsh grass, some varieties of which, due to their adaptive properties, have come to land. The peculiarity of all varieties of culture without exception is the complete absence of stems. From the powerful and large rhizome of echinodorus leaves bloom that are elliptical, oval, spear-shaped or elongated in shape. The color of leafy sheets with a dense structure differs depending on the plant variety.
In size, this plant can reach up to 150 cm - the largest and only a few millimeters - the smallest. All varieties of culture are flowering. With the onset of this period, a high peduncle with a small inflorescence at the tip breaks out of a thick bunch of leaves.
Despite the abundance of forms and species, only a few representatives of the family are suitable for growing an aquarium plant echinodorus in an artificial environment.
Before stopping on a specific variant of aquarium grass, study the characteristics, features of cultivation and check out photos of echinodorus.
Amazonian
Belongs to a number of large plants, reaches a height of 40 cm, the leaves are collected in a rosette, thick, narrow, bright green. It does not require special growing conditions, is characterized by unpretentious care and resistance to microclimate changes in the tank.
Suitable for growing in large aquariums, in water with any level of hardness and acidity. Such stability does not exclude the need for water changes in the tank, as well as its systematic cleaning.
Echinodorus Bleher
This aquarium plant echinodorus grows in the coastal parts of water bodies, at a depth of not less than 50 cm, and reaching the surface of the water surface spread along it. The leaves are elongated, can grow up to 40 cm with a width of 4-8 cm, saturated green. It blooms with small flowers up to 8 mm in diameter.
It feels good in artificial conditions at a temperature of + 22 ... + 28 ° C in water with low and high acidity.
Please note that the echinodorus "bleher" requires constant feeding. The first sign of “vitamin starvation” in a plant is the development of weak, thin, light green leaves.
"Vesuvius"
Below in the photo is an echinodorus aquarium plant of the “vesuvius” type, which is not difficult to recognize by the unusual shape of leaves twisted into a spiral. They are usually painted in bright green color and reach 25-40 cm in length. Interestingly, the color of the leaf blades varies depending on the microclimate in the aquarium.
This is a fast-growing and unpretentious plant species, the existence of which was recently discovered, about 10 years ago.
Red or ruby
The plant is large, the growth rate is medium. This is an artificially derived species by crossing the echinodorus "bart" and the echinodorus "goreman".
In height, this plant is able to reach 30-60 cm, exists both completely under water and spreading over its surface. The name of the aquarium plant Echinodorus indicates the color of its leaves, which, in addition to red, sometimes acquire a marsh green or brown hue under water, and when they appear on the surface of the water or on land, they become brightly grassy.
Gentle
A small aquarium plant, reaching a height of 10 cm. Consists of bright green leaves of elongated shape, the rosettes are dense, forming dense thickets, and therefore are excellent for forming the background of the aquarium.
It feels good at a temperature of + 18 ... + 30 ° C, although the temperature regime is considered optimal within 24-26 degrees with an average hardness of water, since the leaves are destroyed in too soft water.
Note! With insufficient light, an active growth of aquarium echinodorus is observed. At the same time, the leaves reaching the top acquire a greenish-yellow color, in good light the plant acquires a more saturated bright color, but grows more slowly.
"Ocelot"
In the wild, echinodorus "ocelot" you will not meet. This species was specially bred for cultivation in an artificial aquarium environment.
This species is classified as a larger plant, since it reaches 40 cm in length and the same diameter in the rosette, consisting of dense large leaves.
The content of the ocelot echinodorus aquarium plant does not require special conditions. It feels good both in the shade and in the conditions of active lighting, while adapting to the chemical composition of the water in the tank.
The only thing you should not forget is that for the cultivation of "ocelot" you will need a large aquarium, not less than 100 liters. Due to the active growth and large size of the plant, echinodorus fully occupies the space of a small reservoir and requires more space.
Now you know what types of aquarium plant Echinodorus are suitable for cultivation in an artificial environment.
Features of planting and plant care
Before embarking, it is recommended to keep the bush in a quarantine tank for 5-7 days. Echinodorus is planted in two ways:
- Having made a deepening in the soil and placing a bush in it.
- Having transplanted the plant into the aquarium along with a root lump, to which it had already adapted during the quarantine period.
Use coarse sand or fine gravel pre-fertilized with mineral composition as a soil mixture for planting.
For proper maintenance and care of the plant, you must adhere to the following rules:
- landing should be at a depth of not less than 60 cm;
- temperature conditions - + 18 ... + 26 ° , acidity - 6.0-7.5 rN, hardness - up to 4dH;
- provision of lighting - at least 12 hours a day, daylight or artificial light;
- it is necessary to saturate the aquatic environment with carbon dioxide;
- ¼ parts of the water in the tank should be changed at least 1 time in 7 days;
- fertilize regularly.
In the photo, the aquarium echinodorus is shown in a healthy and well-groomed form. In order to grow a green plant in good condition and prevent calcium deposits on the surface of the plant, add an ancistra or several snail ampoules - natural water orderlies - into the reservoir.
The subtleties of breeding echinodorus
Propagation features depend on the type of plant, since each of the representatives is characterized by its own distinctive features. All echinodorus are divided depending on the type of reproduction into two volume groups: simple and complex.
The former are reproduced vegetatively, the latter by seed or pollination. In some hybrid varieties, twin breeding is observed, while others are divided using cuttings.
The latter technique is called forced and is carried out when the shoots are strong enough. Cut off cuttings are placed in a quarantine tank with a special microclimate, bright lighting and a water level of 10-15 cm.
After waiting until the plant is well rooted, you can transplant echinodorus to a constant place of growth.
Aquarium neighborhood: what plants echinodorus coexists with
Some species of aquarium echinodorus get along only with individual representatives of aquatic fauna that can grow in an artificial environment.
Best of all, this representative feels next to the green aquarium inhabitants of about the same size and volume as himself.
This is because more lush, spreading crops obscure the light to smaller plantations, which negatively affects their condition. Echinodorus also acts on smaller representatives, killing some, dominating and taking away space, light, nutrients.
Therefore, try to combine culture with plantings similar in terms of dimensions, normally feeling in the shade or partial shade.
Growing tips and tricks: how to deal with some difficulties
This is a unique variety of representatives of the aquarium flora, practically not susceptible to disease. But still, some problems may arise during cultivation and due to inadequate care or maintenance of the crop in an inappropriate aquatic environment.
The first sign of a painful condition is the appearance of needle-shaped leaves. In this case, do not hesitate with prevention, otherwise the plant will die. Change water first and siphon the soil. If the problem is not solved after such processing, the root rot system may be the cause.
To check this, you will have to carefully remove the echinodorus from the soil along with the root and examine it. The white color of the roots indicates a healthy state of the plant. Rotten roots acquire a translucent color or darken.
Having noticed the dying parts of the plant, get rid of them, using the most thin and sharp blade as an instrument. After removing damaged areas, be sure to plant the crop in a well-fertilized and washed soil.
In order to prevent the spread of decay, treat the roots with chopped birch charcoal.
The above photos and description of the aquarium plant Echinodorus along with the growing recommendations described above will help to cultivate a healthy and beautiful plant in the aquarium, which will become an excellent living decorative element and will delight you for a long time.