Ammania bonsai is a plant developed for home aquariums. Ornamental, compact, and slow-growing greenery has gained popularity among aquarists. Having organized proper care for Ammania, you can breed it not only for yourself but also for sale.
- Temperature: 22-28 C
- Rigidity: dGh 5-14 °C
- Acidity: pH 6.5-7.5
- Complexity of content: High
- Plant height: up to 15 cm see.
- Plant width: 3-5 cm.
- Demanding for light: Strong, 12 hours
- Reproduction: By cuttings
- Growth rate: Slow
- CO2 supply: Mandatory
Table of Contents
AMMANIA BONSAI ORIGIN and Habitat
Ammania bonsai also know as Rotala Indica is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family of loosestrife, suborder myrtle. The herb was named after the German physiologist and botanist Paul Ammann, a professor at the University of Leipzig.
The greenery is intended for small nano-aquariums, densely covers the bottom and side walls in the form of a beautiful carpet. Transforms your aquarium with vibrant colors. For placement, the middle and background are most often chosen.
In the wild, Ammania sp bonsai grows in well-humidified places and is found in the territories of countries such as Asia, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Japan. The culture became economic in 1881. After that, a lot of selective work was carried out, the result of which was a plant that feels comfortable in artificial reservoirs and aquariums.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AMMANIA BONSAI
The plant is not tall up to 15 cm. The stem is fleshy, strong, and straight. There are many small ovoid leaves on it, which reach a length of 1 cm. The base of the leaf is colored green, and at the top it is pink.
The main characteristics of the plant:
- reacts to changes in growing conditions;
- rarely affected by pests;
- does not differ in sensitivity when changing lighting;
- grows all year round.
Ammania Sp Bonsai AQUARIUM Plant Care
The plant is quite whimsical, therefore it requires attention and responsibility from the owner.
Beginners may encounter some difficulties, but as they gain experience, caring for Ammania will become easier.
WATER TEMPERATURE AND HARDNESS
The herbaceous plant reacts negatively to changes in water temperature. Its excessive decrease or increase can be a disastrous factor. The lower temperature limit is + 22 ° С, the maximum is up to + 28 ° С. The optimal indicator is + 25 ° C.
The situation with water hardness is not so critical. In order for Ammania bonsai to grow and develop normally, a degree of hardness of 5-14 ° dH is suitable for it.
It is also necessary to control the acidity level in the range from 6.5 to 7.5 pH. The aquarium should be equipped with filters around the clock to ensure the right amount of water.
Ligting
Ammania needs light 12 hours a day. The lighting should be moderate, but the plant feels comfortable in low shade conditions.
Excessive lighting can lead to the formation of filamentous algae, and lack of light can lead to pallor and stretching of the plant.
To organize a suitable lighting brightness, it is necessary to monitor the state of the rotala.
If it looks healthy, new leaves with red tops appear on it, then everything is fine with the light.
When changing the color towards lightening or darkening, the light level should be corrected.
Ammania Bonsai planting medium
The soil is an additional source of nutrients for rotala, the main part comes from the water. The soil should be light and fine, contain iron and other trace elements.
The bottom of the aquarium can be covered with fine gravel or river sand, the optimal layer height is 1.5 cm. Stones and driftwood are placed on the ground.
Fertilizer for Ammania Bonsai
Ammania needs additional fertilizing to enhance growth and color saturation of the stem and leaves. Mineral complexes in liquid form are introduced during water replacement. For feeding, micro and macro fertilizers are needed, which include nitrates, iron, phosphates and trace elements.
Ammania Bonsai PRUNING
Pruning is rarely done because the grass grows slowly.
Pruning rules:
- You need to cut off the top, removing 2/3 of the stem.
- It can be used for reproduction by planting it in a new place.
Ammania should not form large thickets, since under such conditions its growth stops, the processes fall off and rot.
Ammania Sp Bonsai propagation methods and planting
The plant is propagated by cuttings – the top is cut off, which is planted at some distance from the main bush. This will provide the cutting with enough light and nourishment.
The acclimatization of the cuttings can take a long time, depending on the care of it. When planting in the ground, you should adhere to the “ladder” scheme. After about 1-2 months, the cuttings will grow 1-2 cm.
It is possible to breed a plant with cuttings according to the same principle in a separate container with soil and water. After strong shoots with round leaves are formed above the water, they are planted in a permanent place.
Ammania Bonsai growing conditions
If the growing conditions in a new place are organized correctly, then the plant quickly takes root in the aquarium and begins to participate in metabolic processes.
When planting rotals in a small container, choose the back or middle line.
In large aquariums, foreground and middle ground. Plants are best placed in groups; alone, they look ineffective.
The fragility of the stem requires careful handling, so Ammania should not be placed near the filter and aerator. Under a stream of oxygenated water, the plant can break.
In order for the grass to remain beautiful and healthy, it should not be placed in the same aquarium with large and too nimble fish.
Ammania Bonsai disease and pests
Diseases that can affect Ammania bonsai are associated with:
- poor conditions of detention – lack of light and inappropriate temperature conditions;
- deficiency of vitamins and microelements (iron, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur, carbon dioxide).
The plant can be attacked by pests:
- Water aphid. Small bugs up to 1.5 mm in size live on leaves, gnaw them, leaving behind black round holes.
- Blackbeard (Compsopogon coeruleus algae). It has the appearance of hard black hairs, grows up to 2 cm in length. It dwells on the walls of the aquarium and its plants, destroys the leaves and blocks their light.
Rotala is the best choice for aquarists. But in order to preserve the plant, it is necessary to provide it with proper care and conditions, to equip the aquarium with the necessary devices that serve to support the life of the aquarium inhabitants.
