Pogostemon Erectus (Indian star plant)

Myriophyllum MattogrossenseMyriophyllum Mattogrossense, also known as red columbine, is a decorative aquarium plant that is quite demanding.Growing difficulty: demandingLight requirements: strongCO₂ requirements: strongOutgrown plant height: up to 60 cmGrowth: fastTemperature: 24-28°CPlacement in aquarium: third levelOrigin: South AmericaCup diameter 6 cmMyriophyllum Mattogrossense or red coneflower is a rather demanding, although easy to grow tertiary plant. It is native to Brazil, more specifically to Mato Grosso in the Rio Amazon. It has long, brittle stems with pinnate, whorled leaves.The plant itself is reminiscent of dill in appearance. Under good conditions, it can bloom with small, red, single flowers. It needs a fertile, rich substrate and very intense lighting. Only then can it develop its full potential and show its beauty in the aquarium. It does not like coarse gravel, it grows much better in a fine but permeable substrate. Intensive CO₂ fertilization is advisable. Liquid fertilizer added to the water column will also improve the aesthetic qualities of the plant, which likes to make use of these resources. If it is well fertilized, it grows luxuriantly and the stems have a beautiful red color. It needs a long day, so the light should be on for at least 8-10 hours. It is very sensitive to the parameters that are not maintained. With regular water changes it grows vigorously and the leaves spread into green fans, while in old water the leaves become much smaller and unsightly. If you change the water every few months, you may lose the plant. Myriophyllum Mattogrossense thrives in both soft and hard water.pH 6-7.2.Temperature 24-28°C It is also important that you prune the Myriophyllum regularly. If the plant is not pruned, it will get very fine leaves, especially in the lower part, which will look very unflattering. Regular pruning of the tops helps to prevent this. The plant reproduces very easily, it is enough to plant the cut tip in fertile soil, and it will quickly form a rich, filamentous root system. Due to the need for fertilizer and the capriciousness of the plant, it is not recommended for beginners in aquaristics. The plant is grown in vitro and is free of snails, parasites and algae. A high quality gel was used as a nutrient solution for breeding, so it can quickly and easily adapt to new conditions..

Ludwigia arcuata Ludwigia Arcuata is a decorative aquarium plant with narrow, red-colored leaves. It grows tall, so it is intended for the second or third level of the aquarium. Difficulty of growing: mediumLight requirement: highCO₂ requirement: high (20 mg/l)Outgrown plant height: up to 40 cmGrowth: moderateTemperature: 20-28°CPlacement in aquarium: Third and second levelsOrigin: North America6 cm cup diameterLudwigia Arcuata is a decorative orange-green or red-green plant for the background of your aquarium. This species is native to North America, where it occurs in the following states: Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It occurs as a perennial marsh plant that grows in stagnant or slow-moving waters.The plant belongs to the Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) family and its synonyms are Ludwigia pedunculosa Michaux, Isnardia pedunculosa de Candolle, Isnardia arcuata Kuntze and Ludwigiantha arcuata Smoll. In appearance it resembles Ludwigia brevipes and Didiplis diandra. Ludwigia arcuata is distinguished by its elongated, narrow leaves, the tips of which turn orange to red depending on the incidence of light. It has thin, vertically growing stems and likes to grow above the water surface, which is why it is recommended for open tanks and paludariums. The leaves that grow above the water are finer, but more colorful. It flowers frequently and its inflorescences are small and golden yellow.For good growth, afertile substrate, strong lighting and CO₂ fertilization are required. The light in the aquarium with this variety should be on for about 12 hours per day. With regular pruning, it forms a dense, compact shrub with an orange-red coloration that contrasts well with green plants. Ludwigia tolerates a pH of 5.5 to 8.0, water hardness is not important to it, but it is very sensitive to iron deficiency in the water. Ludwigia arcuata has a weakly developed root system and therefore does not require a thick substrate. When planted in paludariums, it floats well. 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..

Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'Taxiphyllum Flame is a moss genus from Southeast Asia with upward stems that resemble flames. As a mid-ground plant, it is often placed on roots.Difficulty of growing: easyLight requirements: lowCO₂ requirements: lowHeight of mature plant: 5-15 cmGrowth: mediumTemperature: 18 - 28°CPlacement in aquarium: Middle ground, on the decorationOrigin: Southeast AsiaShell diameter 6 cmThe compact, upright and gently swaying stems give the impression of a green campfire up to 15 cm high. Therefore, the Taxiphyllum is often called flame moss or burning moss. With its interesting growth habit, flame moss is great for decorating horizontal areas and can also be used as a lawn. It looks great when grafted onto branching roots. Ideal for nano aquariums, shrimp tanks, but also for larger tanks. Unlike most mosses, it grows quickly in height and spreads much more slowly laterally. It grows well on roots, rocks, coconut shells or other decorative elements. It has no extensive root system, so it is not suitable for planting in the ground. The Taxiphyllum does not need strong lighting or carbon dioxide fertilization to grow well. However, it will grow faster with stronger lighting. It tolerates a wide temperature range from 18 to 28 °C. Frequent water changes encourage its growth, but it does not tolerate rapid changes in water parameters. It grows well in both soft and hard water. It thrives without additional macro- or micronutrient fertilization. Pruning helps the plant to compact and grow, creating a strikingly dense bed. Pruning is done with sharp moss shears. The cut branches can be reinserted into the aquarium to propagate. Thein vitro culture of plants is carried out in tissue culture laboratories. The cuttings are free from snails, algae or pathogens thanks to the sterile production conditions.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 1-2 cm lumps and then place them on the selected items at a small distance..

Myriophyllum sp. 'Guyana Myriophyllum sp. 'Guyana is a dense plant for the second and third levels of an aquarium. It forms a dense green wall in the back of a small tank and provides an excellent hiding place for small, shy fish and shrimp species.Difficulty of growing: moderately demandingLight requirements: mediumCO₂ requirements: mediumHeight of mature plant: up to 30 cmGrowth: mediumTemperature: 23-27 °CPlacement in aquarium: Background or midground plantOrigin: South AmericaCup diameter 6 cm"Guyana" is an interesting cultivar of a coneflower well known to aquarists. It attains a very intense green coloration and forms a dense forest in the aquarium. It has beautiful decorative narrow leaves. Unique to it is that the plant remains bright green even in above-average light, while other paddlers turn red. Also, it grows relatively slowly and has short stems that branch easily. Thanks to its compact growth, it does well in nano aquariums. Guyana plant contrasts well with red plants, especially when planted as background for them.It requires fertilization with micro and macro elements, and it is also worth feeding it with CO₂ in gaseous form. It does not need a very fertile substrate, as it takes up most of its nutrients from groundwater. However, if you put fertilizer capsules or tablets under its roots, the plant will also benefit. You can propagate Myriophyllum very easily by cutting the plant to a length of about 5 cm and planting a new shoot in the substrate. The plant quickly sprouts new roots and begins to climb upwards.The delicate leafy leaves of the plant form a very dense clump in the aquarium, which immediately catches the eye. Myriophyllum sp. 'Guyana' is an ideal plant for aquarists who love nano tanks and delicate plants. The stems branch very easily and thicken into a showy thicket. Frequent shortening aids the branching process. In elaborately designed cubes, it is a real eye-catcher.In larger aquariums, there is a risk that Myriophyllum is hardly visible in the midst of larger-than-life plants, unless you plant it in dense clumps. The plant comes from an in vitro cultivation, which means that it is free from snails, parasites and algae. A high-quality gel was used as the culture medium, so it can quickly and easily adapt to the new conditions.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..

Eriocaulon CinereumEriocaulon Cinereum is a very interesting and eye-catching plant species for the foreground of an aquarium. The plant is characterized by slow growth and the shape of the leaves resembles needles.Cultivation difficulty: moderately demanding Light requirement: high CO₂ requirement: high Height of the adult plant: up to 5 cm Growth: slow Temperature: 19-29 °C Placement in aquarium: in the foreground Origin: Asia 6 cm cup diameter Eriocaulon Cinereum is an undersized plant that does well in the foreground of an aquarium. This species is found on the Asian continent, especially in countries such as China and the Himalayan region. In China it is very common in its natural habitat, but in other countries it is hard to find. Recently, it has gained popularity due to its original and unique structure and characteristic flowers.The plant is characterized by very slow growth, as it takes about 6 months to form a rosette with a diameter of 10 cm. It reaches an average height of 5 cm. There must be a very fertile substrate, as the species has a very extensive root system. Through this, the plant absorbs most of the nutrients it needs for growth. It tolerates a wide range of water temperatures from 19 to 29 °C. It also grows in water with medium to high hardness,but prefers soft water. To ensure good growth, strong lighting and CO₂ dosage is essential, as well as micronutrient fertilization. Under these conditions, it will reward us with a beautiful rosette appearance with many young leaves.The propagation of this plant can be done in several ways. The easiest and most popular is the division of the rosette. This can be done as early as about a month after planting the plant in the aquarium. To get new cuttings, pull out a single plant and remove it from the water. Use a sharp tool to carefully cut the rosette into smaller pieces, and then use tweezers to place them in the substrate. After some time, the cut should be covered with new leaves, and the plant will take on a spherical shape.In aquariums, it likes to bloom, so its original inflorescences make an unusual decoration for any aquarium. 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.

Gratiola viscidula Gratiola Viscidula is a rare species, almost a rarity. It is suitable as a foreground or middle ground plant. Properly cared for, it can form a compact and dense carpet of grass.Difficulty of growing: easyLight requirements: mediumCO₂ requirements: lowOutgrown plant height: 10-20 cm, usually smaller in aquariumGrowth: slowTemperature: 18-27°CPlacement in aquarium: secondary and foregroundOrigin: North AmericaCup diameter: 6 cmGratiola Viscidula is a plant that was introduced into the aquarium hobby relatively recently. The species is native to North America, particularly the east coast of the United States. In the wild it is found from Florida north to Ohio and west to Missouri. It is one of seventeen North American Gratiola species and a member of the Plantaginaceae - goby family. It is related to the European Gratiola officinalis. In its natural habitat, Gratiola viscidula is a perennial marsh plant. It inhabits moist, sunny or semi-shaded sites. It is found on the banks of streams, in ditches, ponds and marshes. In nature, it blooms from June to October.This species is not commonly found in the aquarium trade, making it a rarity.It is a compact stem plant that forms dense rows or bright green lawns. It is suitable for both front ground and background. It has small, narrow leaves that appear spiny and look a little like conifers. The individual stems of the plant are thick, stiff and 1.5-2 cm wide. Because it grows in a temperate climate zone, it can be grown emersed in water bodies, ponds or pools outdoors. It tolerates a pH of 5.5-7.5. The plant is traditionally planted in the substrate. Gratiola Viscidula does not require CO₂ addition and likes regular water changes and fertilization.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 1-2 cm lumps and then place them at a small distance on the selected items.

Anubias Barteri Nana 'Petite' Anubias Barteri Nana 'Petite' is a very small, uniformly filigree Anubias variety. Selection has resulted in a miniature form that is ideal for nano aquariums.Difficulty of cultivation: easy Light requirement: low CO₂ requirement: low Height of the adult plant: up to 5 cm Growth slow Temperature: 20-30 °C Placement in aquarium: In the foreground Origin: cultivation 6 cm cup diameter Anubias barteri is a succulent green plant of the rhizome family, naturally native to the swamps of Cameroon and Nigeria, growing in fast-flowing waters. It can grow both under and above water. "Petite" is a selected cultivar of Anubias barteri. This species does not occur in nature in such a miniature form. Consistent selection by Singapore botanists has resulted in a delicate, compact version of Anubias barteri for nano-aquariums. The variety is rarely seen in the trade and represents a kind of rarity. The plant has a rhizome that forms roots that strongly entwine the area in which it is planted. It is therefore ideal for planting on roots or rocks, such as volcanic lava.The very decorative, tiny, heart-shaped leaves are stiff and fleshy, shiny on the surface and have a velvety texture on the underside. At the same time, they are very hard and stiff, so herbivorous fish are not interested in them. The height of this miniature plant is less than 5 cm. Therefore, it is well suited for the foreground. However, it can also be used for eye-catching trees in the background. Under good conditions, it can produce a delicate white flower. Anubias Barteri Nana 'Petite' can handle a variety of temperatures. It can thrive in cooler tanks as well as in warm, tropical aquariums with discus fish, for example. It likes water with a pH of 5.5-8.0, up to 15 ° dH. it prefers weak, diffuse lighting, reaching more like 0.3 W/l. In case of prolonged and intense lighting, it may become overgrown with algae. Therefore, it is advisable to plant it in darker or even shaded areas of the tank. The plant does not like neglected aquariums, it prefers water that is changed regularly and does not leave dirt on its leaves. It grows slowly, but forms a very attractive shape, especially when it grows in a group to form a green, decorative clump. It is very comfortable in tanks with low water levels and looks great in nano aquariums. Therefore, it is a popular plant for many aquascapers. With it can create very interesting miniature compositions. It also does well in aquariums with cichlids and other herbivorous fish. It is often used in shrimp tanks and nano aquariums for fighting fish. It does not require special care, it is enough to remove older leaves, which stimulates the rhizome to form offshoots. If you want to get new cuttings, you can divide the rhizome into 2-3 cm long sections from time to time. To attach the Anubias to roots or stones, it is enough to use very thin string, thread or special glue for fixing aquarium plants. 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.