Barclaya longifolia is a capricious plant that attracts attention with red flashes of leaves

An eye-catching aquatic plant that livens up any aquarium is Barclaya longifolia. Its striking appearance and dramatic flair set it apart from other greenery. It is recognized for its distinctive red-flashed leaves.

This plant has a reputation for being fickle and is not the easiest to care for. It may have particular requirements, needing particular lighting and water conditions in order to flourish. On the other hand, hard workers are rewarded with an amazing visual display that can be the focal point of any tank.

It’s worth the effort to grow Barclaya longifolia if you’re willing to take on its challenges. It steals the show with its striking colors and unique shape, giving your aquatic setup an extra dose of beauty and intrigue.

Plant Name	Barclaya longifolia
Characteristics	Capricious plant with red flashes of leaves
Care Level	Requires special attention
Visual Appeal	Attractive red highlights

With its vivid red-tinted leaves, Barclaya longifolia is an incredibly unusual aquarium plant that adds visual interest and a pop of color to any tank. For aquarium enthusiasts wishing to add a dramatic touch to their underwater landscapes, it’s a worthwhile addition despite its somewhat finicky care requirements due to its eye-catching appearance.

Distribution

Although Barclaya longifolia is found almost everywhere in Southeast Asia, it was originally introduced from Burma.

Currently, the majority of Barclaya aquarium specimens are artificially cultivated variants designed to thrive in cramped environments.

Growing and care

The maintenance requirements for Barclaya longifolia are fairly high. It can only be grown in an artificial environment by skilled aquarists. Beginners may find it challenging to keep hydrochemical parameters within tight bounds or to avoid root rot.

Apart from variations in the water’s quality, snails are bad for the plant. It is best to quarantine a new plant in another aquarium before adding it to Barclaya in order to make sure it is free of diseases and unwanted larvae.

You should consider the qualities of Barclaya longifolia when purchasing it to make the best choice for possible neighbors. For instance, it does not get along with the following plants:

ferns – water, Indian, Thai, marsilea, riccia, etc.;

some weak cryptocorynes;

a number of rotala and other flowering plants.

The fact is that adult Barclaya longifolia releases phytoncides into the water – biologically active substances that prevent the growth of lower algae and some higher plants.

For this reason, many aquarists recommend placing Barclaya longifolia in aquariums with a volume of 150-200 liters, so that neighboring plants are not seriously damaged.

Water parameters for ideal maintenance

The Barclaya longifolia is a finicky plant. Strict adherence to the specifications for the aquarium’s liquid condition is required for its comfortable cultivation. Suggested hydrochemical parameters:

acid-base balance – 6-7.

The barclaya will stop growing and die if the water temperature falls below the advised level.

Since Barclaya longifolia is primarily found in reservoirs with weakly flowing or stagnant water in nature, it does not require frequent changes of aquarium liquid. If there is too much carbon dioxide in the water, more aeration might be needed. Plants with too much carbon dioxide experience holes forming in their leaf blades.

Lighting requirements

Barclaya longifolia owners observe that their plant thrives in moderate light conditions with a power of roughly 0.7 W/l. You can use both fluorescent and incandescent lamps as light sources.

Expert aquarists advise installing combined lighting in order to achieve a more saturated color in the leaves of Barclaya longifolia.

It is important to keep in mind that Barclaya longifolia dislikes harsh light. Barclaya longifolia does best when shaded by echinodorus, anubias, and other large plants. There are eleven hours of ideal daylight.

Demanding of soil, nutrient substrate

Barclaya longifolia has extremely delicate roots, so it’s critical to select a soil that won’t harm them. For such uses, coarse river sand or nutrient substrate with tiny granules work well.

It is preferred that they be light and porous. It is sufficient to add a 5 cm layer of soil to an aquarium containing Barclaya longifolia.

It is advised to use a substrate with peat as a source of nutrients.

You can use any of the following soils in an aquarium containing Barclaya longifolia:

• Sera Floredepot. A nutrient substrate made of sand and peat will provide aquarium plants with the necessary nutrients. It is placed under the main substrate of small pebbles or coarse sand.

• Tetra CompleteSubstrate. Another nutrient substrate that promotes the active growth of aquatic plants. A layer of "empty" soil 2-3 cm high must be placed on top.

• Tetra ActiveSubstrate. A light porous substrate that can absorb excess nutrients from the water and release them back if necessary.

• Tropica Plant Growth Substrate. A nutrient substrate that can also "collect" excess nutrients. It is enough to place a layer about 1 cm high under small pebbles. It is a completely neutral substrate, practically does not affect the hardness and acidity indicators.

Demanding to fertilizers

Because Barclaya longifolia is primarily drawn to aquarists by its vivid red leaves, either fully or partially, it is imperative to first provide an adequate supply of iron to the plant. Even so, other nutrients are equally crucial to preserving this erratic representative of the aquatic flora’s healthy growth and development.

It is advised to use a complex mineral fertilizer containing both macro- and microelements in a Dutch aquarium. If Barclaya longifolia is grown in a fish aquarium, microelements should only be added as a top dressing.

Using tablet fertilizers will not work with Barclaya longifolia because of its delicate and fragile root system. Prominent among the numerous liquid fertilizers appropriate for aquarium plants are the following mixtures:

• ADA Green Brighty STEP-2. Liquid fertilizer for daily use. It contains many microelements. Designed to support young aquarium plants in the first months of growth. Additionally contains a large amount of iron.

• Aquayer Iron+. Fertilizer based on iron gluconate. It is also a source of manganese.

• Tetra Plant Florapride Red. Liquid feed with microelements and chelated iron. Used to provide nutrients to red plants. Reduces the risk of lower algae development, does not contain nitrogen and phosphorus.

Reproduction

Via vegetative division or seeds, daughter plants can be produced when breeding Barclaya longifolia.

The easiest approach is the latter one. The young plants that eventually form at the parent bush’s rhizome only need to be separated.

1-2 times a year, depending on how quickly Barclaya grows, division might be necessary. When conditions are favorable, separated daughter plants take root fast and start to grow actively.

If an aquarist chooses to use seeds to breed Barclaya longifolia, much more care and attention will be needed. The plant grows a peduncle that supports a flower that blooms on the water’s surface.

The primary goal is to keep the seeds from dropping to the parent plant’s location at the bottom of the aquarium.

The set fruit needs to be carefully placed in a thin nylon or nylon bag in order to achieve this. Following their collection, the seeds are placed in a sandy soil container (ideally one that was once an aquarium). The mini-aquarium’swaterlevel should be between three and five centimeters. You will need warm water (nothing below 28–30°C) and bright, diffused light for the seeds to hatch.

Once a young plant has five or six leaves, it can be moved into a regular aquarium. It is recommended that they be positioned at least 20 cm apart from one another. Barclaya grows poorly in closer quarters.

Variations and forms of the plant

Barclaya comes in a variety of forms, with leaves that can be either red or green. Because of their unusual coloring and appearance, these plants are appealing to seasoned aquascapers because they can be used to add accents to the composition. Some can be used to adorn a tiny aquarium’s background. Let’s take a closer look at a few varieties.

• Red-leaved Barclaya. This form is smaller in size compared to the long-leaved one, and its leaves have a burgundy-violet color. Leaf blades grow up to 35 cm in length and up to 3.5 cm in width. All leaves are attached to petioles no more than 5-7 cm long. A feature of the red-leaved Barclaya is the more frequent formation of flowers. It can be planted both in the main aquarium soil made of sand or small pebbles, and in a separate pot. This will protect the plant from bottom fish that like to dig the soil.

• Barclaya sp Peruviana. A wine-red plant that looks best surrounded by green neighbors. Has longer leaf petioles compared to the red-leaved Barclaya – up to 15-25 cm. Leaf blades reach 3 cm in width and up to 30 cm in length. It is an artificially bred form of Barclaya longifolia. It is necessary to take into account that with too bright lighting, the leaves of the plant lose their decorative wine color and turn brown.

Barclaya longifolia’s eye-catching red-flashed leaves make it a true standout in any aquarium. It adds a captivating touch to your aquatic setup with its vivid colors and unusual growth patterns. The visual impact it creates is well worth the effort, despite the fact that it can be a little picky. It can become the focal point of your tank, adding interest and beauty, if you’re willing to take care of its maintenance requirements.

Focus on giving Barclaya longifolia steady conditions and a nutrient-rich substrate in order to maintain its health. It can be kept healthy and continue to display its gorgeous colors with regular care and attention. A visually dynamic aquarium that draws admiring glances is the ultimate reward, though it may require a little extra attention.

In conclusion, Barclaya longifolia is a plant that produces an amazing display of red colors despite its erratic behavior. It can become a prominent feature in your aquarium with proper care, combining beauty and a little challenge for those who are keen to learn about plant care. Your aquatic environment can become more lively and captivating with its presence.

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