Echinodorus: description of the aquarium plant, types and content

An aquarium is an indoor alternative to a small ocean. For a normal existence, its inhabitants must be provided with everything necessary. Echinodorus is considered a popular inhabitant of the apartment reservoir, which under the right conditions of maintenance and care, it will thank you with the beauty of its appearance.

Echinodorus is an aquarium plant from the family of chait-eaters, the description of which indicates the presence of 30 species of shallow and underwater types. In the natural environment, this representative of the flora is found from the center of America to Argentina. In nature, it can grow in shallow rivers and swamps. Echinodorus is recognized as one of the most popular inhabitants of the aquarium.

This plant species is considered a herbaceous aquatic perennial, but some subspecies can be cultivated as an annual. This marsh grass can reach a height of 10 to 70 centimeters, but there are specimens that are 100 centimeters tall. The representative of the aquatic world is characterized by a powerful root system, which makes it possible to quickly grow and develop. The stem is short or completely absent.

Echinodorus foliage is sessile, it is collected in a basal rosette or is located on a long petiole. The lanceolate, ribbon-like, elliptical or heart-shaped shape is inherent in the leaf plate. Usually the edges of the foliage are solid or wavy. Plates are painted green, red-brown or variegated.

A perennial has a paniculate or umbellate inflorescence, it can consist of up to 18 whorls.Marsh grass blooms with white buds with a diameter of 1 to 6 millimeters. The flower pistil can be yellow or green.

Currently, a large number of Echinodorus species are known. However, breeders do not stop and continue to amaze flora lovers with new varieties. There are some plants that have been cultivated at home. Florists divide this perennial into the following types:

• underwater;
• floating;
• surface.

Let's list the most popular aquarium species of Echinodorus.

• Narrow-leaved. Brazil is considered the birthplace of this perennial. The representative of the family is characterized by endurance and thermophilicity. It has long, green foliage with pointed edges. The height of the marsh grass can reach about 0.5 meters, while the leaf is 4 millimeters wide. The dimensions of the narrow-leaved Echinodorus are considered favorable for planting in the aquarium on the back or in the center.

• Echinodorus osiris. The main region of its growth is Brazil, namely: its southern part. This type of herbaceous bush does not have a stem. The foliage of the plant is wide, oblong. The leaves are pulled up into rosettes, at a young age they are light brown, at a more mature age they are dark green. The height of a bush from the tropics can reach up to 0.5 meters.

• Gentle... Echinodorus tenellus grows naturally in the Amazon. This shrub is also called the "dwarf Amazon". The plant is characterized by unpretentiousness, it has delicate narrow leaves that look like grass. The height of the delicate Echinodorus usually reaches 7 millimeters. With sufficient light, the Amazonian representative of the tropics can acquire an emerald hue and grow well.

• Small-colored. In its natural environment, this type of Echinodorus is often found in Bolivia and Peru. Due to the heart-shaped foliage, the bush looks quite attractive. Sprawling Echinodorus in height can reach no more than 0.25 meters. The best option for planting a plant is considered to be a medium plan or planting in a large tank.

• Mottled. This echinodorus is considered one of the smallest broadleaf representatives of its kind. At the bush, the rosette has a heart-shaped shape. This echinodorus grows up to 0.15 meters, while its diameter cannot be more than 0.25 meters. This option is considered the most suitable for a small aquarium.

• Mercedes. This hybrid is quite popular nowadays. Its characteristics are considered to be 5-6 stems, as well as elliptical foliage with olive yellow edging. Echinodorus reaches a height of about 0.35 meters, and a width of 0.3 meters. The plant loves good light and warmth.

• Ruby... This type of Echinodorus belongs to the unpretentious, hardy and very bright representatives of the flora. It has a crimson color. This plant has the ability to tolerate both mild and acidic environments. The length of the ruby's oblong foliage is about 0.6 meters.

Keeping echinodorus in an aquarium will not be difficult, but some knowledge in this case is simply necessary. The substrate for the plant can be fine or medium gravel. The volume of silt does not really matter, the grass can exist in weakly and strongly silted soil. Provided that Echinodorus is planted in a new place clay should be applied under the root system, this dressing contributes to rapid growth.

Water for keeping perennials can be soft or hard, but within reason. The optimal pH is neutral or slightly alkaline. And also Echinodorus grow in water with an acidic index for a long time.The most favorable temperature for normal existence is considered to be from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius. Provided that marsh grass is grown in a tropical aquarium, in which the ambient temperature is from 24 to 26 degrees Celsius, you can make the bush a winter mode, that is, lower the indicator to 22 degrees for 45-60 days.

The plant does not show any special requirements for lighting conditions. This indicator can be both strong and moderate, in both situations Echinodorus will feel great. It is also worth remembering that the splendor of the bush can cause shading for other representatives of the flora in the aquarium.

The difficulty of growing this perennial comes down to the fact that it is necessary to constantly change the water in the aquarium, as well as rinse the substrate with a siphon. If you neglect these rules, you can see how quickly the ecosystem will age. If Echinodorus has become small, grows slowly and throws out leaves in the form of needles, we can say that the conditions of detention are unsatisfactory for the shrub. Root decay or unsuitable soil is often the cause of these changes.

The white rhizome is considered healthy. A rotten and diseased root is dark or half transparent.

Echinodorus, which are kept in an aquarium, are able to reproduce in different ways.

1. Vegetative. In this case, the reproduction of the plant occurs using stolons, that is, offspring. On the latter, a subsidiary representative is formed. Often, an aquarium inhabitant continues its genus using a creeping shoot.
2. Seeds. There are some varieties of Echinodorus, the reproduction of which is possible exclusively with the help of seeds. This option is carried out only after flowering and pollination, the best option of which is considered to be cross. Germination of seeds is not difficult, but it is not characterized by good germination. The disadvantage of this breeding method is the high risk of over-pollination.
3. Division of the root system. Some Echinodorus can reproduce exclusively in this way. This option can be called the most effective, since a new plant is formed much faster than in previous cases.

In order for the plant to feel good in the aquarium, the owner should not forget about the following activities, which bring some difficulties:

• regular water change;
• the need for bright lighting;
• saturation of water with carbon dioxide, with a lack of which calcium will accumulate on the foliage of the plant, which is harmful to all living things in the aquarium;
• the substrate must be washed regularly once a month using a siphon;
• perennial feeding;
• the aquarium should be home to young ampullae and ancistrus, which help to maintain the purity of the leaves;
• spring transplanting of marsh grass, which is carried out once a year, is accompanied by plant renewal.

The unfavorable growing conditions for Echinodorus include the following:

• old acidic water with a high percentage of organic matter;
• low illumination;
• low percentage of carbon dioxide in water;
• soil with too shallow or silted structure.

Echinodorus is a common plant species used in aquarium design. The perennial assists in the design of the completed version of the ecosystem.

For information on how to contain Echinodorus, see the next video.