This is a plant from the genus “Switch” and the “diumphant” family “. Another name for Sagittaria is the arrow. It is found only in fresh reservoirs in the territories located in a moderate climatic zone and within the southern latitudes.
So, the arrowman is found in Eurasia, namely in the Primorsky Territory and the Volga region. This plant can also be seen both in North and South America.
Appearance
Sagittaria leaves are in a basal outlet. Floating leaves have an oval plate, the length of their petioles varies from 70 to 100 cm. Underwater photosynthetic organs are usually ribbonlike, their length in some cases is more than 0.1 meters. White shoots underground form long tubershaped buds. The leaves of this plant are similar to the tips of the ancient arrows, they are quite spicy, painted green.
Content and care
Sagittaria feels great in aquariums with a lot of silt. Plant this plant on sand with quartz or other stained soils. When planting, you need to fix the sagittaria, crushing it with stones. This must be done so that the arrowman does not surf, because in its fabrics there are many cavities with a high air content. You need to plant the plant so that the root is not underground, thanks to this, the roots of sagittaria will not rot.
The temperature of the external environment should not be less than 24 ° C. Water rigidity and its pH medium. The aquarium should be clean and welllit. However, too bright light can damage the plant. In the “House” Sagittaria should be a filter. The soil should be fed.
When choosing “fertilizer”, you need to pay attention to the pallor of external photosynthetic organs, which indicates a lack of iron, and to the insufficiency of growth, which indicates a lack of carbon dioxide. If the aquarium is quite short daylight, carbon dioxide should also be added.
When all the conditions are met, the arrow usually begins to bloom, demonstrating his long white flowers. This sight can be enjoyed for about three weeks.
Types of sagittaria
There are several subspecies of sagittaria. Among them there is a dwarf arrow. He was found in the reservoirs of America. This variety is resistant to environmental changes, a low moisture temperature is not terrible for it, even 12 degrees. Plant height 10 cm, leaves width are usually not more than 5 mm. This arrow can take root both in small aquariums with a water volume of 30 liters, and in very large 100-liter aquariums.
Other subspecies of Sagittaria is the Schoolist arrow. The length of the leaves of the plant is about 15 cm. They can be painted in a light green or olive color. The arrowman grows rapidly and as if bite into the soil. During the year of active growth, the shoots of Sagittaria cover the bottom of their “home”. For this species, a 10-hour day daylight hours are required.
Another variety of archers is Sagittaria hardleaved. This subspecies can only be found in South America. It is easy to notice the plant due to bright green leaves that have a wide base. The height of this arrowist is about 20 cm. He does not get along with other species.
Sagittaria broadleaved another subspecies of a famous aquarium plant. It can be found in the south of America and in its central part, as well as in the southeast of Asia. This subspecies prefers water with a stiffness of about 5-12 DH and acidity of at least 6 pH. Sagittaria leaves are large, their diameter can reach 25 cm. This plant tolerates transplantation perfectly, but it is not worth planting it deeply this will slow down the growth of sagittaria. Locked soil is perfect for her. In the home aquarium, daylight hours should last at least 12 hours.
Reproduction
Sagittaria propagates with shoots. In favorable conditions, other sagittarias appear on these parts of the plants. They should be torn from shoots and planted anywhere in the aquarium. This procedure is carried out only if the plant already has several leaves. This propagation method eliminates the owner from the assembly procedure. However, it is necessary to monitor the plant during the breeding period, because some subspecies of sagittaria are weakly rooted and after a few months the entire aquarium can be lined with shoots.
Diseases
Aquarium plants such as sagittaria often get sick due to violations of the conditions of detention. So, inhibiting growth of this species develops due to a deficiency of potassium and sulfur, high acidity of water and lack of light. To cure the plant will help improve circulation of aquarium moisture.
Another frequency disease is necrosis. Its cause is a deficiency of vitamins such as calcium and boron. However, it can occur due to excess nitrates in water. It is not difficult to identify the death of tissues if you know that the disease affects first new leaves.
Sagittaria may also have chlorosis. It is characterized by the disappearance of chlorophyll. This disease is caused by a deficiency of iron and copper, nitrogen and molybdenum, and nutrients such as sulfur and boron. Another reason for the development of the disease is the accumulation of phosphates in parts of the plant. It can be identified by brown spots on photosynthetic organs, the disease more actively affects old leaves. Moreover, they usually do not fall.
