Kabomba Caroline - a fairly common aquarium plant belonging to the genus Kabomba. In addition to this species, 4 more species of underwater plants belong to it. All of them can be used for cultivation in an aquarium. What is the carolina kabomba plant, what conditions are required for it, will be described in the article.
In addition, the other four types of kombombs will be briefly described.
Genus Overview
The genus of underwater plants Kabomba is common in the Western Hemisphere. Its representatives can be found both in North and South America. They are erect plants with elongated stems, rooted in the ground.
The Carolina cabomba in the aquarium is cultivated most often. It is quite attractive. The leaves under water have the opposite (opposite to each other) or whorled arrangement, when three leaves depart from each fleshy, branching stem. On the surface of the water, the stems creep, the leaves are floating, with the next arrangement on the stems.
Another difference between the underwater and surface parts is that the leaf blades of creeping on the surface of the leaves are solid, while those of the underwater are multiple palmate, very small and thin, fan-shaped, about five centimeters wide. In the axils of floating leaves, reaching a length of two centimeters, and a width of four centimeters, small yellowish flowers are located. The plant can reach a meter and a half in length. Has a developed creeping rhizome. All its leaves are petiolate.
In nature, this species grows in the tropics and subtropics of both North and South America. It can be found in flowing and stagnant bodies of water.
Cultural Varieties
The following varieties of Caroline cabomba are distinguished:
- Ccvar.caroliniana.
- Ccvar.paucipartita.
- Ccvar.tortifolia.
They differ from each other underwater leaves. The first is characterized by slightly widened tops of the upper segments (from 0.4 to 1 mm). In the second, their expansion is more pronounced (from 1 to 1.8 mm). In the third, they are twisted into a spiral.
Aquarium conditions
This type of cabomba is quite unpretentious. Water temperature from 18 to 24 degrees Celsius, slightly acidic (pH 5.5 - 6.8) and relatively soft (hardness below 8 °) is enough for him. That’s what the plant is really demanding about, it's the cleanliness of its environment. Without regular water changes in the aquarium, it will die, as small particles of dirt settled on the leaves lead to their death.
Lighting she needs is quite intense, at least 12 hours a day, at the rate of 0.5-0.75 W / l. Otherwise, the plant may partially lose its decorative effect: it will turn yellow, and its stems will stretch.
If the water is too hard, the Carolina cababa will stop growing, and its leaves will be crushed.
Soil requirements
The root system of the kabomba is quite developed, but at the same time gentle. As a soil, it is better to use sand or small pebbles. In the soil of a larger fraction, these types of aquarium plants will develop worse. In addition, siphoning such a substrate is much more difficult.
The soil should be slightly silted. You do not need to fertilize it, since these living plants in the aquarium are content with those nutrients that enter it when changing water or feeding fish. You can feed them only after planting.
Landing rules
Carolina kabomba is propagated vegetatively. For this, cuttings from a stem or rhizome are used. The latter grow and develop somewhat faster. Stem cuttings also quite well and quickly take root and begin to grow rapidly. In a week, grass can stretch for 5-8 centimeters. At the same time, she does not tolerate transplants, as well as pruning.
It must also be remembered that no more than a third can be cut off from the rhizome without harm to the plant. In this case, the cuttings should have a length of two to three centimeters. When cutting stem cuttings, you need to divide the stem into parts 12-15 centimeters long, with at least five to six whorls on each. Such cuttings take root in about a week.
After planting, red clay in the form of balls can be used for feeding, which is placed on the ground at the base of a young plant. It is better to plant a kabomb in the corners and at the back wall of the aquarium. At the same time, it should fill no more than 40 percent of the space - this is the advice of experienced aquarists. This is due to the fact that the plant releases a lot of volatile, which in such quantities can be harmful to aquarium inhabitants.
What can not be done
This plant should not be planted in an aquarium designed for fish that dig the soil with their nose. They can damage the rhizome of the kabomba, and it will die. Physical snails, coils and ampoules cannot be populated in an aquarium with this plant for the same reason - they harm the plant.
For the treatment of diseased aquarium inhabitants can not use copper sulfate and the drug "Rivanol". Kabomba under the influence of these funds will drop the leaves.
Other aquarium plants of the genus Kabomba
Let us briefly dwell on four other species of this genus. Quite often, along with the Caroline, the kabomba is grown in aquariums, it is bushy. In nature, distributed in northern Brazil, in its coastal part. It grows in height up to 50 centimeters. Underwater leaves are opposite, green, up to five centimeters wide. Floating, flooded leaves have a rounded shape and small size - one or two centimeters. The flowers are light yellow.
It grows by about 10 centimeters per month. Not too demanding on the conditions, but hard and alkaline water does not tolerate and will not grow well. The temperature for it is desirable within 24-30 degrees Celsius.
Kabomba is a reddish native to the Antilles and the north of South America. In height reaches 40 centimeters. Underwater leaves are opposite, rounded, up to four centimeters wide. The name of the species reflects their color: olive green above, reddish below. Floating leaves are lanceolate, up to three centimeters in length. The flowers are purple, a yellow spot at the base of the corolla. This is a very beautiful view with a high decorative effect.
The most beautiful Kabomba is distributed in the southeastern part of North America. She has reddish not only the lower parts of the underwater leaves, but also the stem. The leaves above are olive green in color. Their contour is rounded, length - up to eight centimeters. The surface leaves are lanceolate, up to three centimeters in length. Petals of violet color.
South Cabomba is a native of southeastern South America. The tops of the stems have a reddish hue. Opposite underwater leaves up to four centimeters wide, rounded elongated. Floating - lanceolate, up to two centimeters. The flowers are light yellow, with a dark yellow spot at the base.
Finally
The article examined the conditions of detention and the rules for the propagation of the Carolina kabomba, as well as briefly described other varieties of the kabomb genus. This plant, like any other, requires some care, although not too troublesome. Subject to all maintenance rules, it will be a real decoration of the aquarium.