2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Hygroriza is an extremely distinctive coastal plant that can be found in India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Malaysia. It will look incredibly effective in aquariums, and it will suit almost any design. By the way, this is the only aquatic herb plant cultivated in aquariums. It is noteworthy that hygro-riza is the closest relative of cultivated rice and, to some extent, serves as a catalyst for the purity of water
Getting to know the plant
Gigroriza is a wonderful representative of the flora, floating on the water surface. Its velvety and alternately arranged leaves are painted in bluish tones and have a lanceolate shape. The leaflets are equipped with heart-shaped cuts in the bases and taper towards sharply rounded tips. Moreover, they are absolutely not wetted with water, as their upper sides are densely covered with funny water-repellent hairs. And their convex structure allows water droplets to roll down to the edges of the leaves.
The color of the leaves of the humidoriza depends on its state and, of course, on the lighting. With very weak sunlight, it will be light green with a slight yellowness, with strong sunlight, it will be intensely green, and if there is not enough lighting at all, then the leaves acquire a yellow color and subsequently collapse.
The petioles of this beauty are red, pinkish or brown. They, like floating leaves, are equipped with many aerial cameras.
The stalks of the hygroriza are straight and long. Sometimes they can be formed by straight sections located at small angles. In water, these stalks are located horizontally, about a centimeter from the water surface. And on the shore, they can be not only in a horizontal, but also in an inclined and vertical position. They often form a dense turf.
Graceful whips of hygro-riza look incredibly aesthetically pleasing and form thickets of the most bizarre shapes. For plants requiring well-diffused and very moderate light, it will be a life-saving shading. And its roots serve as an excellent refuge for funny fry, in addition, the fish love to lay eggs in them.
How to grow
Hygroriza is great for tropical aquariums. It will not be difficult to grow it throughout all seasons, since this beauty is not at all demanding to the conditions of detention. The best temperature for the comfort of this plant is in the range from 24 to 28 degrees. And the hardness of water, along with the reaction of the aquatic environment, does not have a significant effect on the development of hygrorisis.
It is systematically necessary to change the water in the aquarium, adding it up to a third of the total volume. And rather intense lighting will help to significantly increase the growth of hygro-irrigation. It is very desirable for a plant to receive sunlight at least for a small amount of time during the day. For artificial lighting, fluorescent lamps are the best choice. Regarding power, it is worth noting that for each decimeter of water area, it should be from 2 to 2.5 watts. Simple incandescent lamps will not work for the reason that they are capable of burning the leaves of this pretty guy. The sufficiency of lighting is easy to determine by the middle of the leaf blades - if the hygrorete has enough light, then irregularly shaped brownish specks appear in the centers of the leaves. Twelve hours a day - this is the minimum daylight hours for this aquatic inhabitant.
It is recommended to cover the top of the aquarium with a lid - this is done in order to provide the hygro-rize with optimal air humidity, otherwise the edges of its leaves may begin to dry out.
This aquatic pet will not require additional feeding if you provide it with a systematic water change. In addition, she herself perfectly cleans aquariums - many particles of organic and inorganic origin periodically accumulate on her roots. And this beauty takes an active part in the cycle of substances.
Hydroriza reproduces in artificial conditions vegetatively - parts of the stems are separated at least with four to six leaves. The resulting processes are placed in water, where they float until the roots appear.
