2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Gygrophila is widespread in the tropical zone. At the same time, the habitat does not in any way affect the rate of its growth - both on the soil and under water, it will grow equally quickly. And this aquatic inhabitant is one of the main crops used in aquariums. At least one of its varieties will certainly be found in the aquarium of most aquarists - the wonderful hygrophila is equally in demand by both professionals and beginners
Getting to know the plant
Hygrophilous stalks can be either erect or creeping. Most often they are elongated. The leaves of this aquatic beauty, representing the Acanthus family, are opposite and differ in feathery venation. They grow in length up to twenty centimeters, and their width reaches almost one and a half centimeters. All underwater and emergent leaves of the hygrophil are in most cases the same, however, there are also varieties with non-identical leaves. And the central leaf veins, colored dark green or brownish, are usually pronounced in all species of this tropical herb.
The hygrophilous flowers are formed in the axils of the leaves located above the water. If this aquatic inhabitant grows in water, then it usually does not form strong roots, and additional roots grow on the nodules of its stems.
Currently, about sixty species of hygrophila are known, living mainly in fresh water bodies located in the tropical regions of our huge planet.
How to grow
The best option for keeping hygrophilia is tropical aquariums. As a rule, it is placed in small groups in soil containing the required amount of nutrients.
The most suitable parameters of the aquatic environment are considered to be a temperature ranging from twenty-four to twenty-eight degrees and an active reaction from 6, 5 to 7, 5. In principle, at a higher temperature, the hygrophil also grows quite well. But if the thermometer drops below twenty-two degrees, the growth of the tropical beauty may stop. If possible, the water hardness should be medium (about eight degrees). In acidic and soft water, the leaves of the hygrophil begin to break down rather quickly. Also, at least once a week, the water in the aquarium should be changed (by about one quarter or one fifth).
Providing the hygrophile with sufficiently intense lighting, it will have an extremely beneficial effect on the growth of this amazing tropical grass, however, at the same time, the tops of the stems can quite quickly go beyond the water surface. Therefore, most often, tall aquariums are selected for growing this green pet. And with a lack of light, the leaves of the hygrophil decrease in size and after some time acquire a yellowish tint, and the old leaves are destroyed at lightning speed. Both natural and artificial lighting are suitable for this aquatic pet. In the latter case, the choice is stopped either on fluorescent lamps (for each liter of water their power should be approximately 0.5 W), or on conventional incandescent lamps. By the way, with the help of incandescent lamps, it is quite possible to significantly improve the color of the leaves of the hygrophila - young leaves are painted in pleasant brownish tones,and the central veins of old leaves retain their former juicy shades. Twelve hour daylight hours for this marvelous tropical grass will be the most suitable.
The hygrophila is usually propagated by cutting off its upper parts or stalks. And even from a rather small part of the leaf, you can easily get a new plant.
The luxurious hygrophila is usually absolutely undemanding to the conditions of detention. And they place it in aquariums, as a rule, in the background and near the side walls, where it grows well throughout the year.
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