If you have never heard of such a name as echinodorus, 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 reservoirs. For the first time this plant was described back in 1881, today 47 species are already known, surprising in shapes, colors and sizes.
In its natural habitat, this plant grows in Central and South America. The favorite places of the Echinodorus aquarium plant are swampy areas and the banks of water bodies, both well-lit and shaded.
Attractiveness coupled with low maintenance has made the culture very popular as home aquarium decor.
What does Echinodorus look like and how is it characterized?
The plant belongs to the Chastukhaceae family. This is a perennial marsh grass, some varieties of which, in view of their adaptiveproperties went ashore. 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, which are elliptical, oval, spear-shaped or elongated in shape. The color of leaf plates, dense in 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 tall peduncle with a small inflorescence at the tip breaks out of a dense bunch of leaves.
Despite the abundance of forms and species, only a few members of the family are suitable for growing an Echinodorus aquarium plant in an artificial environment.
Before you settle on a specific type of aquarium grass, study the characteristics, cultivation features and check out the photo 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. Does not require special growing conditions, is characterized by unpretentious care and resistance to changes in the microclimate 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 to change the water in the tank, as well as its systematic cleaning.
Echinodorus Blehera
This is an aquarium plant Echinodorusgrows in the coastal parts of water bodies, at a depth of at least 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, rich green. It blooms with small flowers up to 8 mm in diameter.
Feels good in conditions of artificial keeping at a temperature of +22…+28 °С in water with low and high acidity.
Please note that Echinodorus "blehera" 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 aquarium plant Echinodorus species "Vesuvius", which is not difficult to recognize by the unusual shape of the leaves, twisted into a spiral. They are usually painted bright green and reach 25-40 cm in length. Interestingly, the color of the leaf plates changes depending on the microclimate in the aquarium.
This is a fast-growing and unpretentious species of plant, the existence of which was discovered only recently, about 10 years ago.
Red or ruby
The plant is large, the growth rate is average. This is an artificially bred species by crossing Echinodorus "Bart" and Echinodorus "Goreman".
In height, this plant can reach 30-60 cm, it exists both completely under water and spreading on its surface. Name of the aquarium plantechinodorus indicates the color of its leaves, which, in addition to red, sometimes acquire a swamp green or brown hue under water, and once on the surface of water or land, turn into a bright grassy color.
Delicate
Small aquarium plant, reaching a height of 10 cm. It consists of bright green leaves of an elongated shape, rosettes are dense, forming dense thickets, and therefore excellent for forming the background of the aquarium.
Feels good at a temperature of +18…+30 °C, although the temperature regime is considered to be optimal within 24-26 degrees with an average water hardness, since the leaves are destroyed in too soft water.
Pay attention! With insufficient light, an active growth of aquarium echinodorus is observed. At the same time, the leaves stretching to the top acquire a greenish-yellow color, in good light - the plant acquires a richer bright color, but grows more slowly.
Ocelot
In the wild, Echinodorus "ocelot" you will not meet. This species has been specially bred to grow in the artificial aquarium environment.
This species is classified as a larger plant, as it reaches 40 cm in length and the same diameter of the rosette, consisting of dense large leaves.
The content of the aquarium plant Echinodorus "ocelot" does not require special conditions. It feels good both in the shade and in conditions of active lighting, while adapting to the chemic althe 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, at least 100 liters. Due to the active growth and large size of the plant, Echinodorus completely occupies the space of a small tank and requires more space.
Now you know which types of Echinodorus aquarium plants are suitable for growing in an artificial environment.
Features of planting and plant care
Before planting, it is recommended to keep the bush in a quarantine tank for 5-7 days. Echinodorus is planted in two ways:
- By making a recess in the ground and placing a bush in it.
- By transplanting the plant into the aquarium along with the root ball it has already adapted to during the quarantine period.
Use coarse sand or fine gravel, previously fertilized with a mineral composition, as a soil mixture for planting.
For the proper maintenance and care of the plant, you must adhere to the following rules:
- landing must be at least 60 cm deep;
- temperature regime - +18…+26 °С, acidity - 6.0-7.5рН, hardness - up to 4dH;
- provide lighting – minimum 12 hours a day, daylight or artificial light;
- necessary to saturate the aquatic environment with carbon dioxide;
- ¼ part of the water in the tank should be changed at least once every 7 days;
- fertilize regularly.
In the photo, the aquarium echinodorus is shown in a he althy and well-groomed form. To grow a green plant in good condition and prevent calcium deposits on the surface of the plant, add ancisters or a few snails to the tank - natural water orderlies.
Subtleties of reproduction of Echinodorus
Features of reproduction depend on the type of plant, since each of the representatives is characterized by its own distinctive features. All echinodorus are divided into two volumetric groups depending on the type of reproduction: simple and complex.
The former are reproduced vegetatively, the latter by seed or pollination. Some hybrid varieties reproduce in pairs, while others are divided using cuttings.
The last technique is called forced and is carried out when the shoots are strong enough. Cut 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 permanent place of growth.
Aquarium neighborhood: what plants does Echinodorus get along with
Some types of aquarium echinodorus get along only with individual representatives of the aquatic fauna that can grow in an artificial environment.
This representative feels best in the neighborhood with green aquarium inhabitants about the same size and volume as himself.
All because morelush sprawling cultures obscure the light of smaller plantings, which negatively affects their condition. Echinodorus also acts on smaller representatives, killing some, dominating and taking away space, light, nutrients.
Therefore, try to combine the culture with plantings similar in terms of dimensions that feel fine 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 diseases. But still, some problems can arise during cultivation and due to improper care or keeping the crop in an unsuitable aquatic environment.
The first sign of a disease state is the appearance of needle-shaped leaves. In this case, do not delay with prevention, otherwise the plant will die. First of all, change the water and siphon the soil. If the problem is not solved after such treatment, the cause may be the decay of the root system.
To check this, you will have to carefully remove the echinodorus from the soil along with the root and inspect it. The white color of the roots indicates a he althy state of the plant. Rotting roots become translucent or darker.
When you notice the dying parts of the plant, get rid of them using the thinnest and sharpest blade as a tool. After removing damaged areas, be sure to plant the crop in well-fertilized and washed soil.
In order to prevent the spread of decay, treat the roots with chopped birchcoal.
The above photo and description of the Echinodorus aquarium plant, along with the above growing recommendations, will help you to cultivate a he althy and beautiful plant in the aquarium, which will be a great living decorative element and will delight you for a long time.
