Eichhornia azurea – water hyacinth

The gorgeous plant Eichhornia azurea, sometimes referred to as the water hyacinth, may bring some elegance to any water garden or aquarium. It is simple to understand why this plant is a favorite among aquatic enthusiasts with its vivid purple flowers and lush, floating green leaves. Its striking appearance contributes to the upkeep of a healthy aquatic environment in addition to making it an aesthetically pleasing addition.

Eichhornia azurea is a species native to the Amazon Basin that grows well in shallow, warm waters. It is well known for growing quickly and covering the water’s surface, which can inhibit the growth of algae by obstructing sunlight. In addition to offering beneficial cover for tiny fish and other aquatic life, this floating plant contributes to the development of a more lively and balanced ecosystem.

It’s crucial to carefully control its growth, though. If not controlled, water hyacinth can spread quickly, suffocating nearby plants and degrading water quality. You can still enjoy its many benefits while keeping it under control with regular maintenance and occasional thinning. Eichhornia azurea is a great plant to think about for enhancing the aesthetics and usefulness of your aquatic setup, regardless of experience level.

Spread

Neotropical species predominate in this genus, with the exception of the African Eichhornia Nathans. The primary range is found in North and South America’s marshlands and still ponds.

In Brazil, it has become widely used. When the plant was imported to the United States from South American nations in the 1980s, aquariums started to appear.

The underwater form is hardly ever found in the natural world. Certain cultivars, weeds, have spread outside of their natural range.

Eichhornia excellent (Eichhornia crassipes) is responsible for Eichhornia azure’s reputation as a dangerous weed, for which importation is forbidden.

The water hyacinth, or Eichhornia azurea, is an eye-catching aquatic plant that has many advantages for the ecosystem and can significantly improve the aesthetic appeal of your aquarium. Its rich green foliage and vivid blue flowers not only provide color, but they also absorb excess nutrients and provide fish with cover, helping to maintain the quality of the water. Aquatic environments can become healthier and more vibrant if you know how to properly care for and incorporate this plant into your aquarium.

Growing and care

This plant appears more beneficial when it is floating because it forms graceful, orchid-like inflorescence clusters. However, you will need a large, open tank for this. For this reason, only the underwater form is used in aquaristics.

Novices ought to hold off on planting Eichhornia azure. The leaf blades become brittle when submerged, which makes docking more difficult. If you apply too much pressure, they become black and come off. Furthermore, the plant requires room. It will be necessary to consider this point when positioning additional underwater flora representatives nearby.

Recommendations for general care:

• Recommended tank height – from 50 cm. When the stem stretches to the surface of the water, the leaf blades begin to grow rapidly along. In this position, they lose their decorative qualities and turn into spoon-shaped. In addition, the top of such a shoot is no longer suitable for submerged cultivation. If it is cut off, the plant will continue to release leaves in the docking zone and will no longer go into an underwater form. Therefore, you should always ensure that the leaves of the plant do not reach the surface of the water.

• The plant is grown in aquariums with a volume of at least 100 liters, in humid greenhouses, paludariums and even in pots. The main requirement is that Eichhornia needs space for the leaves to fully open.
• The optimal placement plan is middle or back. If you plant it in a ladder, you get a beautiful pattern in the form of solitaire.
• Frequency of pruning – at least once a month.
• Since all types of Eichhornia react negatively to a sharp change in hydrochemical parameters, it is necessary to monitor the stability of the parameters of the aquatic environment.

Domestic aquarists also favor Eichhornia diversifolia in addition to Eichhornia Lazoreva. However, Eichhornia azurea is preferred because of its unusual flower color and inflorescence shape.

Optimum water parameters

Eichhornia thrives in naturally occurring stagnant water, so locations with strong currents are not ideal for the plant. Usually, between thirty and fifty percent of the total water volume needs to be replaced every week.

Recommended hydrochemical parameters:

• temperature – 22-28 ° C;
• pH – 4-7;

• CO2 – 20-30 mg / l;
• hardness – 2-16 ° dGH.

It is a thermophilic plant. In its natural habitat, the vegetative mass perishes with the first frost and it does not bloom during cool summers. It is therefore advised that you keep the temperature above 22°C.

Lighting requirements

The crop exhibits strong photophilia. Intensive lighting needs to be planned. Artificial lighting devices that have a power of 0.6 W/l can be made from fluorescent lamps.

A minimum of twelve hours of daylight is ideal.

Soil quality

Neutral soil and soil-type soils are both suitable for growing the plant. A clay and sand mixture would be a good choice.

Utilizing substrates and root fertilizers is advised.

Need for feeding

Both liquid and soil fertilizers work well for feeding Eichhornia azure plants.

The lower zone of the stem’s leaves turn black when they are deficient in nutrients. More carbon dioxide is a welcome supply.

Features of reproduction

Cuttings are used to propagate the plant. The lateral shoots can be divided and moved to a different location once daughter shoots with three leaves have formed on them. Propagating seeds at home is not possible.

Name variations

Eichhornia azure goes by a few different names:

Eichhornia aquatic;

The plant is also frequently referred to as rooted water hyacinth, or water hyacinth.

In conclusion, water hyacinth, or Eichhornia azurea, is a visually arresting addition to any aquarium. Its vivid blue blossoms and rich green foliage have the power to completely change the appearance of your aquatic arrangement and add visual interest. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant has useful qualities like enhancing the quality of the water and giving fish a natural habitat.

But careful management of water hyacinth is imperative. If its fast growth is not controlled, it may cause overcrowding. To keep it a nice addition to your tank without overpowering the ecology, regular upkeep and pruning are essential.

In the end, adding Eichhornia azurea to your aquarium can improve the ecological balance and visual appeal of the space. You can take advantage of this unusual water plant’s beauty and advantages by comprehending and controlling its growth.

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