World Habitat Volcano

Echinodorus grisebachii Bleherae Amazonas - Sword Plant max. growth height 60 - 80 cm Country of origin Brazil Suitability Perch aquarium, discus aquariumCommunity aquarium Type Rosette plant family Alismataceae Genus Echinodorus Propagation Adventive plants on the flower stalk Growth rate fast pH 5 - 9 Water hardness 10 - 20 °dh Notes   The large Amazonas sword plant is perhaps the most popular plant in the aquarium hobby. Its leaves are 3–6 cm wider than those of the ‘amazonicus’ variety, and the height of up to 60 cm makes this species appear even more dominant. Mature clumps, some with more than 50 leaves, are a striking feature. However, the substrate must be at least 10 cm deep for the root system to develop properly. Combined with Helanthium species (dwarf Echinodorus), beautiful South American underwater landscapes can be created.

Staurogyne repens - aquarium plant from Brazil max. growth height - 10 cm Country of origin Brazil Suitability NanoCube, aquascaping and community aquariums Type  Stem plant family Acanthaceae Genus Staurogyne Propagation Head cuttings, side shoot Growth rate slow pH 6 - 7 Water hardness 10 - 25 °dh Notes   An attractive novelty from Brazil is the bear’s claw family plant Staurogyne repens. Its appearance is somewhat reminiscent of a “miniature Hygrophila”, but it is an excellent plant for the foreground. It grows very slowly, in good conditions even creeping over the substrate. Staurogyne needs intense light and a good supply of nutrients above the substrate. If the shoot tips are pruned regularly, the plant develops many new side shoots, resulting in a very beautiful, dense plant population. In “aquascaping”, this beauty can be excellently combined with Hemianthus callitrichoides.

Alternanthera reineckii 'Purple'Purple' is the largest variety of Alternanthera Reineckii. The red colored leaves make it a great plant for accenting.Difficulty of cultivation: difficultLight requirements: highCO₂ requirements: highHeight of mature plants: 20-50 cmGrowth: mediumTemperature: 20-28°CPlacement in aquarium: middle ground or backgroundOrigin: South America6 cm cup diameterAlternanthera Reineckii 'Purple' is a demanding plant for advanced aquarists. It should receive a fertile substrate, strong lighting, an additional supply of carbon dioxide and a full feeding in the form of liquid fertilizer. However, even under favorable conditions, its growth is very slow. Alternanthera Reineckii 'Purple' is a secondary or tertiary plant. The top of the leaf blades are reddish brown, while the undersides range from purple to violet to dark red. The mature plant can grow up to 50 cm tall, but usually reaches no more than 20-30 cm in height. It spreads laterally by lateral stolons. To obtain cuttings, 7 cm long cut stems are inserted into the ground It presents best in the second or third level. In nature, it is a swamp plant that occurs in South America. The best growth results are obtained when it is planted in an active substrate. The growth rate depends on the carbon dioxide concentration in the aquarium water. It prefers soft to hard water with a pH of 6 to 8. It depends on the availability of macronutrients in the water column and is sensitive to macronutrient deficiencies resulting in the loss of leaves in the lower part of the stem. Plant it in closely spaced clumps. As it grows, it will form a compact group of adult plants. Prune the plant regularly with sharp scissors. Frequent pruning helps the plant compact and grow. To maintain the dark red color of the foliage, the plant must be well exposed to light. In optimal light, it grows densely and the internodes are short, making it look much more attractive. It makes an interesting contrast to the many green plants in the aquarium. In open aquariums it grows easily to the water surface.Planting: The plant must be removed from the cup and thoroughly rinsed from the gel under running water. This is best done by placing the plant in a container of lukewarm water. Most of the gel will then fall off by itself. Divide the contents of the cup into 3-4 cm lumps and then place them in the substrate..

Hydrocotyle verticillata (mushroom plant, American pennywort) max. growth height - 20 cm Country of origin  North and South America Suitability Aquascaping, community aquarium Type   family Apiaceae Genus Hydrocotyle Propagation Side shoots Growth rate medium pH 5 - 8 Water hardness 0 - 15 °dh Notes   This water pennywort is very decorative due to its umbrella-like leaves and is suitable for the foreground to midground. Unlike H. leucocephala and H. tripartita, it grows rather slowly; the water temperature should not be too high. We found magnificent stands in shallow water in the Rio Sucuri, Brazil. The water temperature was 23 °C; the water was crystal clear with a high CO2 concentration. Hydrocotyle verticillata looks very natural in the middle of a Hemianthus carpet, with small ‘umbrellas’ protruding from it.

Salvinia auriculataSalvinia Auriculata (Brazilian salvinia) is a floating plant native to South America. It grows moderately quickly so that its population can be controlled. Easy to grow. Absorbs nitrogen to combat algae. Propagates by spreading.Difficulty of cultivation: easy to mediumLight requirement: medium to highCO₂ requirement: lowHeight of the adult plant: 0.5 cmGrowth: moderate to fastTemperature: 22 - 24°CPlacement in the aquarium: SurfaceOrigin: South and Central AmericaCup diameter 6 cmSalvinia Auriculata (Brazilian Salvinia) is a floating ornamental plant. It is native to the calm, still waters of South and Central America. It can be found from Paraguay to Cuba. It owes its popularity above all to its original appearance. Its small oval leaves with a diameter of 10 mm cm are arranged opposite each other on an elongated leaf stalk. These leaves are covered with fine hairs that trap air bubbles, allowing them to float. Depending on the light intensity, they are wavy or flat. Salvinia forms a third type of underwater leaves on which the spores are deposited.Like all floating plants, Salvinia is recommended for shady waters . Its great appetite for nitrogen and phosphorus compounds makes this plant a good ally in the fight against algae. Salvinia has low light and nutrient requirements. It grows well in both moderate and strong light. As a floating plant, it does not require a substrate but draws all the necessary nutrients directly from the water. During the vegetation period, it reproduces by spreading, whereby the growth rate is moderate. This makes it easy to control its growth and remove excess plants. It grows to a length of 3-6 cm and likes warm, humid air, so it is advisable to use a glass or cover when growing it.It should be placed in such a way that no condensation falls on the plants. It adapts very quickly to the new parameters. However, it should be borne in mind that it will die if there is too little light. It thrives best in soft to medium-hard water at 22-24°C. The in vitro culture of plants is carried out in tissue culture laboratories. Thanks to the sterile production conditions, the cuttings are free from snails, algae or pathogens.Planting:The plant must be removed from the cup and thoroughly rinsed of the gel under running water. This is best done by placing the plant in a container of lukewarm water. Most of the gel will then fall off by itself. Place the plant on the surface of the water.