Aponogeton Crispus ( Curly Aponogeton crispus) is an ornamental aquarium plant of the genus Aponogeton. This type of aquatic plant has earned its popularity among aquarists due to its decorative qualities, especially since there are many hybrids with different leaf patterns and colors. Aponogeton curly is suitable for placement in the middle ground of tropical aquariums of any size.
Table of Contents
Aponogeton Crispus Habitat
The genus has 57 different species. Their range extends to Northern Australia, South Asia, regions of Africa located sub-Saharan. Plants belonging to the genus are native to Madagascar, 11 of which are endemic to the island.
Their natural environment is warm tropical reservoirs with stagnant or slowly flowing water. Leaf prints of one of the aponogeton species were found in sedimentary rocks formed 25 million years ago in Western Kazakhstan, far from tropical latitudes.
All types of aponogeton form a rosette of leaves emerging from the axils. Leafless peduncles reach the surface of the water. Numerous thin roots extend from the thickened tuberous rhizome. The species differ in the configuration of the leaves, the length and thickness of the petioles emanating from the rosette.
Flowers are either unisexual or bisexual. Under the condition of pollination, fruits are formed.
Aponogeton Crispus structure and charateristics
Aponogeton curly hails from the island of Sri Lanka, where it prefers to settle in reservoirs with slowly flowing water, having a depth of 20 to 100 cm.
This plant looks like a herbaceous bush without a single stem, formed by long leaves. The base of the socket is ground-based. Thin winding petioles of green leaves emanate from it. The sheet plates have a sinuous configuration and corrugated edges. They reach a length of 15 cm or more, and can protrude from the water. In diameter, one such bush can reach 25 cm.
Formed on the above-water parts of the plant, the fruits contain seeds that quickly germinate when dropped into water. An interesting feature of the curly aponogeton is the pronounced variability of both the color of the leaves and the pattern.
The rhizome of this plant is fibrous, it requires obligatory planting in the ground.
The plant blooms with pink or white flowers of medium size, having an aroma that resembles the smell of chamomile.
Aponogeton Crispus care in aquarium
This plant prefers soft water with a pH value close to neutral – no more than 8, the optimal range is from 6.5 to 7.2.
The southern guest of the aponogeton does not like old, stagnant water. For active growth, it is necessary to change 20% of the water volume weekly, even in the absence of contamination. In old water, the plant grows more slowly and develops worse, it can hurt.
The optimum temperature for the growth of curly aponogeton is + 24 … + 25 ° C.
This plant is characterized by growth throughout the year. However, growth is uneven: in spring and autumn it is less intense than in other seasons. During natural periods of deceleration of the growth rate of the plant, the heating can be reduced to + 18 ° C.
Aponogeton is undemanding to the level of illumination. Feels good among taller plants, even those that shade it. However, prolonged deprivation of adequate lighting can provoke a deterioration in the appearance of aponogeton.
These ornamental aquarium dwellers prefer moderately silted soil, not rich in organic matter. During the water change, it is recommended to apply fertilizing with mineral fertilizers.
Aponogeton is considered a suitable aquarium mate for small herbivorous fish.
Aponogeton Crispus aquarium plant Propagation
Curly aponogeton is a flowering plant, so it can be propagated by seeds. Blooms when cross-pollinated, resulting in seed formation. The inflorescence reaches a height of up to 30 cm above the water surface. Flowering lasts from 7 to 14 days. It is convenient to use a brush for pollination.
For germination of seeds, it is recommended to use containers filled with sand and a little water. The optimum temperature for seed germination of this plant is + 28 ° C. You can also germinate seeds of aponogeton in peat moss flooded with water. You should be patient: the seeds germinate for a long time – it may take several weeks.
Seedlings should be transplanted no earlier than they have four leaves (first, the seeds germinate leaves, and then the roots). The total duration of the process is at least 21 days.
It is also possible to use the vegetative method of reproduction of curly aponogeton. For this purpose, the tubers of the rhizomes of old plants are divided and planted in a new place.
