Echinodorus palaefolius

Alismataceae family. Homeland: South America’s tropical regions.

A fascinating plant that is widely used by aquarists. Forms hard, narrow, lanceolate leaves in the aquarium; leaves can be brown or dark green in color. The form of aerial leaves is oval, almost diamond-shaped, with clearly defined veins. The aquatic form is between 25 and 30 cm tall. The terrestrial plant can grow to a height of one meter and above, and an aquarium with a sizable volume is needed for maintenance. This echinodorus is rather unassuming and grows all year long.

It can be cultivated in tropical aquariums that are kept at a temperature between 20 and 28 °C. Water with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction and a medium hardness of 8 to 16 degrees is best for echinodorus. The plant looks sickly and grows much worse in water that has a slightly acidic reaction.

Echinodorus has high standards for lighting. Its leaves become pale and start to elongate in the absence of light. When growing echinodorus in an aquarium, the lighting power needed should be between 0.4 and 0.5 W per liter of volume (using LB type fluorescent lamps). It is also very helpful to have additional lighting with 25–40 W incandescent lamps placed above the plant.

8 to 10 hours should be spent in daylight. The plant develops airy leaves when the daylight hours are extended, especially when the lamp brightness is decreased.

Well-silted and nutrient-rich soil is ideal. Adding peat and clay to the newly created soil is highly beneficial. Charcoal can also be added beneath the roots. The plant’s powerful root system necessitates a substantial soil layer that is at least 7 to 10 cm thick. There should be a mix of medium and large pebbles in the substrate. It is not necessary to apply additional mineral feeding if the soil is nutrient-rich enough. Microelements should be given to Echinodorus on a regular basis in the event of infrequent water changes.

Both vegetatively and through seeds, the plant reproduces. When conditions are right, Echinodorus, which have airy leaves, starts to bloom heavily at the age of about a year. They do this by putting out long peduncles. A gentle brush can be used to pollinate flowers. A temperature of 26 to 28 degrees Celsius is maintained while ripe seeds are sown in separate bowls filled with sand and water. Germination of seeds is typically quite low. In general, seedlings are highly sensitive to abrupt changes in their external environment, and they are particularly afraid of an abundance of algae.

On a submerged peduncle, daughter plants develop. Although this method of propagating Echinodorus is very simple, it is not as productive as seed. The daughter plants can be separated from the stalk and planted in regular soil once they have produced four to five leaves.

Similar to numerous other Echinodorus species, this particular species thrives in a humid greenhouse and multiplies profusely, outperforming aquarium conditions. Our reservoirs are home to a large number of aquatic waterlilies, which are very similar to daughter plants. Consequently, a novice aquarist needs to exercise extreme caution when purchasing young Echinodorus shovel-leaved bushes from the market so as to avoid confusing them with waterlilies.

Post category: Aquarium plants from A to Z / Plants for an aquarium – E

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When it comes to adding a touch of natural beauty to aquariums, Echinodorus palaefolius is a great option for enthusiasts. This aquatic plant is great for novices and experienced hobbyists alike because of its eye-catching, broad leaves and adaptable nature, which allow it to flourish in a variety of environments. It is a remarkable addition to any aquarium setup because of its low maintenance needs and capacity to grow well in a variety of water conditions. Echinodorus palaefolius is a useful plant that can be used to create a verdant backdrop or a cozy home for your fish. It is also reasonably priced.

2012-11-21