Caroline Kabomba is 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 growing in an aquarium. What is the caroline kabomba plant, what conditions does it require, will be described in the article.
In addition, the other four types of kabombs will be briefly described.
General information about the genus
The genus of underwater plants Kabomba is common in the Western Hemisphere. Its representatives can be found in both North and South America. They are erect plants with elongated stems rooted in the ground.
Caroline Kabomba is the most commonly cultivated in the aquarium. It is quite attractive. The leaves under water have an opposite (opposite each other) or whorled arrangement, when three leaves leave 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 above-water parts is that the leaf blades of the leaves creeping along the surface are whole, while those of the underwater ones are repeatedly finger-dissected, 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 one and a half meters in length. It 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 both flowing and stagnant waters.
Cultural Varieties
The following varieties of Carolina cabomba are distinguished:
- C.c.var.caroliniana.
- C.c.var.paucipartita.
- C.c.var.tortifolia.
They differ from each other by underwater leaves. The first is characterized by slightly expanded 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). The third has them twisted into a spiral.
Aquarium conditions
This type of kabomba is quite unpretentious. He needs water temperatures from 18 to 24 degrees Celsius, slightly acidic (pH 5.5 - 6.8) and relatively soft (hardness below 8 °). That's what the plant is really demanding for, it's the cleanliness of the habitat. Without regular water changes in the aquarium, it will die, as small particles of dirt that have settled on the leaves lead to their death.
Lighting she needs 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 caroline kabomba will stop growing and its leaves will be crushed.
Ground requirements
The root system of the kabomba is quite developed, but at the same time delicate. 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 ground should be a little silty. It does not need to be fertilized, since these living plants in the aquarium are content with those nutrients that enter it when changing the water or feeding the fish. You can feed them only after planting.
Boarding rules
Caroline Kabomba is propagated vegetatively. For this, cuttings from the stem or rhizome are used. The latter grow and develop somewhat faster. Stem cuttings also take root quite well and quickly and begin to grow intensively. In a week, the grass can stretch 5-8 centimeters. At the same time, transplants, as well as pruning, she does not tolerate at all.
It must also be remembered that no more than a third can be cut 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 dividestem into parts 12-15 centimeters long, with at least five to six whorls on each. Such cuttings will take root in about a week.
After planting, you can use red clay in the form of balls for top dressing, which is placed on the ground at the base of a young plant. It is better to plant kabomba 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 emits a lot of phytoncides, which in such quantities can be detrimental to aquarium inhabitants.
What not to do
Do not plant this plant in an aquarium designed for fish that dig with their noses in the ground. They are able to damage the rhizome of the kabomba, and it will die. In an aquarium with this plant, you cannot populate phys snails, coils and snails for the same reason - they harm the plant.
For the treatment of diseased aquarium inhabitants, copper sulfate and the drug "Rivanol" should not be used. Kabomba under the influence of these funds will drop the leaves.
Other aquarium plants of the Kabomba genus
Let's briefly consider four other species of this genus. Quite often, along with the Caroline, the common kabomba is grown in aquariums, it is also bushy. In nature, distributed in northern Brazil, in its coastal part. Grows up to 50 centimeters in height. Underwater leaves are opposite, green, up to five centimeters wide. Floating, flooded leaves, have a rounded shape and small size - one to two centimeters. The flowers are light yellow.
Grows about 10 centimeters a month. Not too demanding on conditions, but does not tolerate hard and alkaline water and will not grow well. The temperature for her is desirable within 24-30 degrees Celsius.
Kabomba reddish comes from the Antilles and northern South America. In height reaches 40 centimeters. Submerged leaves are arranged oppositely, rounded, up to four centimeters wide. The name of the species reflects their color: olive green above, reddish below. Floating leaves - lanceolate, up to three centimeters in length. The flowers are purple, with 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 common 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 are olive green above. Their contour is rounded, length - up to eight centimeters. Emersed leaves are lanceolate, up to three centimeters in length. Purple petals.
The southern kabomba comes from the southeastern part of South America. The tops of the stems have a reddish tint. 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.
In closing
The article examined the conditions of keeping and breeding rules for the Caroline kabomba, as well as briefly described other varietieskind of cabomba. This plant, like any other, requires some care, although not too troublesome. Subject to all the rules of maintenance, it will be a real decoration of the aquarium.
