Healthy and beautiful aponogeton – This is the pride of many aquariumists. The plant has high decorative properties, and at the same time is easy to care. However, there are several very beautiful views. Whose care will be more complicated. A semiwater plant with considerable size, unusual appearance and high endurance is especially appreciated by beginner aquariums.
Description
Aponogeton belongs to the genus of monodol plants of the Old World distinguished in the Aponogeton family. India is considered his homeland. However, the plant can also be found in the territory of other states washed by the Indian Ocean (Indonesia, South Africa, Australia). There is a wide variety of species of this plant, many of which get along well in aquariums. For example, Aponogeteon Madagascar, Henkel, Red, and T.P.
Representatives of this kind are distinguished by endurance. If the conditions of their cultivation are violated, then the plant begins to discard foliage, while only the tuber remains and the roots continue to develop. It is at the expense of the root system that the Aponogeton is powered. If we restore the correct conditions for growing this culture, then it will begin to release new leaves.
Aponogeton can grow in a small open pond or aquarium. That is, it can be used as a decoration of a house pond. An interesting ability of the plant is its frost resistance. It can calmly winter in a small open reservoir, subject to deep landing.
Kinds
There are over 57 species of aponogeutons. All of them differ not only in external signs, but also in the complexity of the care. The most demanding are immigrants from Africa and Madagascar. Asian varieties are more simple.
Curly
The birthplace of this species is the island of Sri Lanka. The plant has high decorative properties. Thanks to this, many hybrids were obtained from it. They differ in foliage color. It can be red, green or blue. The length of the sheet plate is 50 cm., with a width of 4.5 cm.
Curly Aponogeteum is growing throughout the year. He loves fresh water, so you need to regularly replace it. This type does not require bright lighting. Feels good in the shadow of larger cultures. However, the constant lack of light will affect the Fomke and the shade of leaves. They will become more elongated and faded.
Ulvoid
The very view from the island of Madagascar. As already mentioned, he is quite demanding in care. He needs a spacious aquarium. In addition, 2 times a year, it is immersed in the phase of sleep.
Despite the difficulties of growing, Ulvoid Aponogeteum is quite in demand. This is due to his peculiar look. Extended light green leaves with a pronounced mesh pattern of veins grow on it. The edges of the foliage are wavy. The height of the culture reaches 70 cm.
Doublehaired
Obligated leaflets with a shiny leathery surface grow from the tubershaped rhizome. This species got its name thanks to the structure of the inflorescence, which resembles a column.
The main feature of the doublecolumn aponogeton is its flowers. They exude vanilla aroma. In addition, flowers have a beautiful color. They are snowwhite with a barely noticeable pink subtone. This view blooms for quite some time – From spring to first frosts.
The disadvantage of a doublecolumn aponogeton is that it is almost impossible to grow in an aquarium, since it prefers an open pond with standing or sluggish water.
Madagascar
This is one of the most unusual species of aquarium plants. It has longshaped leaflets. Their length is 30-45 cm., And the width – 6-7 cm. In its appearance, foliage is similar to a net. There are many small holes in it, which is why it seems translucent.
Like all representatives of this kind, the Madagascar Aponogeteen loves clean water. The content of nitrates and phosphates in it should be minimal. The plant does not like bright light, giving preference to shaded corners. The sun’s rays are not reported to the leaves, otherwise the plant will die.
Hardleaved
Another «Counter» From the island of Sri Lanka. It has long and narrow leaves, wavy along the edges. Usually they are green or olive. Hardleaved aponogeteum grows up to 60 cm., However, he is unpretentious in leaving. Unlike other species, it takes root well in more rigid water – 7-12 dgh.
This type requires moderate lighting. It grows very slowly, so it will be useful to constantly introduce top dressing. This should be done in small doses, but throughout the year.
Wavy
It lives in India. Wavy leaves are painted in light green shades. They have an intricate chess pattern on them. The height of the bush can reach 70 cm.
For proper development of the plant, bright lighting is necessary. Wavy aponogaton should not be planted in shaded areas. In addition to daylight, this type also requires artificial. Water temperature should be 22-28°FROM. If this indicator is lower, then the culture will begin to dump the leaves.
Soil is preferably used moderately stained. Culture in hard water should not be cultivated, since this will slow down its development.
Floating
In natural conditions, the leaves reach the surface of the water, and remain on it to swim. Thanks to this phenomenon, this species got its name. Today there are many hybrids suitable for growing in aquariums.
Foliage most often wavy and long. She has a light green tint. This species is considered universal, as it is quickly adapted as in hard and alkaline water.
Kapuroni
This is a rather rare view. By its external signs, it is similar to the wavy aponogeuton. Kapuroni is the most whimsical in leaving all representatives of this kind. He can quickly die in the new conditions. Water temperature – 16-25°FROM.
Appearance
The plant attracts attention with its beautiful ribbon leaves. They are quite long (25 cm.), but at the same time their petioles are short. The width of the sheet is most often 4 cm. If the sheet reaches the surface of the water, then its shape will change. From the ribbon, it will turn into an oval. Many varieties have corrugated leaves. There are special species with lace and mesh leaves. It is worth noting that the foliage sockets are formed from the volumetric tubercle rhizome.
Aponogeuton grows up to 70 cm in height. During the flowering period, colosshaped inflorescences are formed on it. They are on elongated legs that are carried out above the surface of the water. The fetus is formed from the flowers. It is immersed in water, which is why the splitting of the amniotic flip. As a result, the bottom of the aquarium is dotted with a large number of seeds. However, they do not contain any nutrients, but they germinate very quickly. This process can take both 1 day and several weeks.
Content in the aquarium
For active growth and proper development, Aponogeton does not require the creation of specific conditions. She feels good in water, the temperature of which fluctuates within 22-28°FROM. However, it is important to consider that the fluid balance should be as close as possible to neutral. It is possible to deviate from the norm both towards acidity and in the direction of alkalinity, but not more than 2 units. Water rigidity should be 4°. However, the plant also adapts in slightly hard water. During the growing season, constant water substitution is required. It is preferable to carry out such a procedure every day. The substitution is subject to 1/4 of the volume of the liquid.
Aponogeton should be planted in the ground. As it you can use fine pebbles or river sand enriched with silt. The latter is necessary for the plant to feed the root system. However, his excess will lead to decay of the roots. Since the root system is quite voluminous, the soil layer should be at least 5 cm.
This culture is necessary for moderate lighting. You can equip a aquarium of mediumsized fluorescent lamps. In this case, 0.5 watts per 1 liter will be enough. Please note that Aponogeton loves natural light, so it is necessary that the sun’s rays fall on it. During the growth period, the duration of the light should be more than 12 hours.
Important! There are several species that need bright lighting. For example, wavy and ultrashaped.
Do not forget about top dressing. Mineral complexes like «Tetra Plantamin». Introduce fertilizer preferably during the period of active growth. It falls on summer and autumn time.
Propagation and breeding
Breeding aponogenton at home is quite simple. It is interesting to note that in one growing season it can create at once 5-8 subsidiaries. Female individual forms arrows that are thrown to the surface. A small knot is formed at the top of the arrow. Leaflets of the new plant appear from it. In the process of growth, the node increases, due to which it becomes like a mini-club.
The young plant does not have a root system, so it is easy to separate from «maternal» plants. If this is not done, then the tuber will continue to increase until its diameter reaches 5 mm. After that, the arrow begins to rot. Young culture remains to swim on the surface. Because of this, it begins to throw smaller foxes, while the old ones immediately die. After a short period of time, Aponogeteen will begin to sink under the weight of his own tuber. Touching the soil, he independently forms the root system and outlet of large leaves.
It is important to note that many representatives of this kind are characterized by a phase of sleep. During this period, Aponogeton drops the whole foliage. If your aquarium is 23-24°C, then the root system can be left in the ground. If the temperature exceeds this mark, then it is better to remove the rhizome. In this case, it is necessary to create the right conditions for its storage. You can put the rhizome in a raw cloth and put in the refrigerator for 90 days. After this time, it must be warmed up and returned to the aquarium. After a while, new leaves are formed.
In addition to the shooter, there are 2 more propagation methods:
- parts of the rhizome;
- seeds.
Each method has its own characteristics.
Propagation in parts of the rhizome
For this purpose, only an adult and a healthy plant are suitable. Using a knife or blade, it is necessary to divide the rhizome into 3 parts. Keep in mind that each of them should save the growth point. Process the cut of the rhizomes with powder from wood coal, otherwise it will rot. The separated parts are planted in the ground. After a short period of time, new plants grow.
Reproduction with seeds
When creating favorable conditions in the autumn or winter period, flowering of the plant is possible. It throws up arrows with colosshaped inflorescences. In the process of pollination, seeds are formed. They must be planted in another aquarium with stained sand. There should be few water in it. It should only slightly cover the surface of the soil. In order for the seeds to sprout, bright lighting is necessary, as well as the water temperature should be 26-28°FROM. In the process of growth of new plants, it is necessary to gradually increase the water level. Когда на Апоногетоне появятся 3 листка, его можно пересаживать в общий аквариум.
Interesting Facts
Residents of the tropical countries consider aponogaton a water hawthorn. This is due to the fact that its rhizome contains a large amount of starch. The local population eats the rhizome for food both in baked and boiled form.
Today, Aponogeton is widely used as an aquarium decor. However, few people know that people began to grow this plant back in the 80s of the XVIII century. In addition, it was naturalized in many reservoirs of Western European territories.
