Every aquarist knows that aquatic vegetation is an indispensable element of the aquarium ecosystem. Not only do plants give an artificial pond an aesthetic appearance, but they also become a shelter, a source of nutrition and oxygen for underwater inhabitants. So, the aquarium plant bucephalandre is gaining popularity.
Description
In nature, this culture prefers to grow in reservoirs with a large current: rivers, streams, waterfalls. In the natural environment, the plant attaches to snags or lava. There are several varieties, and almost all of them grow under water. The leaves have a different structure: they have a wavy, smooth or oval shape. Color may vary: green, bluish, red, brown, dark purple. In some bucephalanders, the leaf plate is characterized by weak spotting.
There are species that, during the growth process, prefer to reach the surface, although they are not shown to air. Some, on the contrary, like to develop parallel to the bottom of the aquarium. If you plant several species in one tank, you can create a very beautiful multi-colored composition.
The plant appeared recently among Russian aquarists, but quickly became popular. This is due simplicity of leaving and undemanding to the conditions of detention.
Even a novice aquarist can grow a culture.
Varieties
As mentioned above, different types of bucephalandra differ in appearance. So, the shape of the leaves can be oval or back-lanceolate. Their color varies from green to silver and even red-brown, and individual specimens can even be cast with iridescent shades. Plants are classified according to the characteristics of the edges of the leaves. They are straight and wavy.
Differences of species consist and in conditions of detention. For example, they need different times to form shoots. To “produce” foliage, one species needs a week, and the second takes two months. Leaves fly around very rarely (regardless of the type of plant).
The culture in question has different sizes. Some belong to mini-plants and do not grow more than 5 cm, others reach much larger dimensions.
Consider the most famous species.
Brownie phantom
Refers to the news. Among the benefits noted unpretentiousness in leaving, and also interesting appearance: on its leaves the golden dusting is formed. Content Features the need for liquid top dressing and unpretentiousness to lighting.
Development-friendly temperature - 20-30 degrees above zero. Reproduction occurs due to green branches and side shoots, which are cut for breeding. Reproduction by seeds is possible. The disadvantage of the variety is its low availability.
On sale, finding Brownie Phantom is problematic because it is characterized by slow growth.
Brownie red
This species is also difficult to access, but for aquarists it is extremely valuable. It is famous for its beautiful reddish tint, which blends very harmoniously into the design of the aquarium. The length of the sheet plate is 1-3 cm. This view is a bit more difficult to care for than the option described above. The optimum temperature limits are 22–28 degrees, the acidity of water is 6–8.
This plant is usually planted in the center - so you can create an elegant composition. This variety also belongs to slow-growing species.
It is indifferent to the level of lighting, and reproduction is carried out by cutting the rhizome.
Landing
Before planting a new plant, do not neglect quarantine measures. If the shoot was brought from natural conditions, then place it for several days in a two-liter plastic container and change the water every day. Under such conditions, various parasites will drown. After that, you can proceed to the stage of adaptation. The plant is placed in a paludarium or greenhouse, treated with "Epin" or "Fitosporin." The quarantine period is 40 days.. After this time, the specimen is ready for planting in the aquarium.
All kinds of bucephalandra possess powerful root system since in nature the plant develops with a strong movement of water. Therefore culture itself attached to the ground, and when planting in the aquarium, you can simply attach it to a stone or snag.
If the shoot is planted in the ground, then the aquarist must take care of its nutritional value in advance. Some experts nevertheless advise first to plant in the ground in order to get a powerful well-developed root system and provide an opportunity to reliably gain a foothold in it in the future.
Maintenance and care
On average, the temperature of the water for bucephalandra should be within 22–25 degrees, hardness - 5–15, pH acidity –– 6.3–7.3. It is very important to control the state of water and keep the indicators at the same level, since a sharp change in one of the parameters can lead to rotting of the leaves and death of the plant. If the instance is dead, then do not rush to get rid of it. Try to clean the roots of rotten fragments and get promising cuttings from which new samples will appear.
As already mentioned, this plant is unpretentious to lighting and can develop with a lamp power of 0.5 watts per liter, but in all its glory, bucephalandra can only be observed in fairly bright light. Regularly fertilize CO2 and fertilize with a high iron content. Do not forget about the weekly replacement of 20-30% of the volume with fresh, settled water during the day.
Culture transplant is not recommended. since it adapts to a new place for a long time.But if the need arose, then it is possible to move to another area. Reproduction is carried out vegetatively. A daughter shoot is separated from the parent. Most often, placing one plant in the aquarium is practiced, but group planting is also possible to design the appearance of an artificial reservoir.
Read more about bucephalandre in the video.
