nomaphila stricta (Hygrophila corymbosa) Aquarium Plant

Nomaphila Stricta (Hygrophila corymbosa) is a common aquarium plant culture that is great even for beginners. It is from him that it is recommended to start landscaping the aquarium environment.

The crop is fast-growing, easy to care for, and has attractive leaves with a pale green color on the outside and silvery-white on the inside. Growing up, Hygrophila corymbosa goes beyond the aquatic environment but does not lose its aesthetic qualities.

nomaphila stricta
  • Temperature: 24-28 °C
  • Rigidity: dGh at 8 ° C
  • Acidity: pH 7,5-8,5
  • Complexity of content: Low
  • Plant height 30-35 cm.
  • Plant width 2-3 cm.
  • Demanding for light: strong, 12 h
  • Reproduction: By cuttings
  • Growth rate: Fast
  • CO2 supply: Mandatory

Nomaphila Stricta plant Habitat and structure

Under natural conditions, Nomaphila Stricta (Hygrophila Corymbosa) is found in water bodies of Southeast Asia. This species loves shallow waters, but can grow along the coast of larger lakes and ponds. It is a semi-aquatic culture that thrives in both water and air.

The Nomaphila Stricta leaves are arranged crosswise and create the impression of a regular geometric pattern.

In aquariums, nomafila grows year-round, and actively and quickly. High aesthetic values ​​make this aquatic species a favorite among other aquarium cultures. Especially considering the ease and simplicity of care.

Nomaphila Stricta Benifits in aquarium

When discussing the merits of any aquatic plant, it is customary to consider culture from two positions: aesthetics and pragmatics. On the aesthetic side, nomafila enjoys well-deserved respect among aquarists. As for pragmatism, the following features of this plant become the advantages:

  • Schisandra is a natural biofilter. Aquatic culture effectively cleans the water area from waste products of living organisms.
  • This culture actively absorbs CO2 (carbon dioxide), enriching the aquatic environment with the necessary oxygen.
  • Luxurious dense vegetation provides a good hiding place for many aquarium inhabitants.

Hygrophila corymbosa is recommended to be planted in jars containing fish that require protection and prefer solitude.

hygrophila corymbosa

Nomaphila Stricta Aquarium Plant Care and Growing

Providing good and favorable conditions for nomafile, it begins to grow at such a rate that in a short time it can fill almost the entire aquarium.

In order to prevent the “invasion of green mass”, it is better to plant the culture in pots. Small clay containers will not allow the root system of the culture to actively develop and slow down the growth rate.

When choosing a suitable earthenware pot for Hygrophila corymbosa, do not use oversized containers.

In massive pots, Nomaphila Stricta inhibits the growth of deciduous mass – it gives all its strength to the formation of roots. Regular pruning is required during the growth of nomafile. A neat haircut promotes the growth of lateral processes, which gives the bush splendor.

  • For Nomaphila Stricta , with its dense deciduous mass, a large aquarium is needed – with a volume of 140-150 liters. If the dimensions of the jar are smaller, then only one plant can be planted (usually the nomaphila is planted in a group).
  • The ideal place for it is the background of the container. Then the plant will give a beautiful green background and will not “take” free space, providing the fish with access for free swimming.

REQUIRED WATER PARAMETERS

Schisandra is a plant that came to us from the tropics. Therefore, the culture requires an increased temperature of the water area. This rule should not be neglected, because a decrease in the temperature regime even by 2-3 ° C from the permitted level greatly inhibits the growth and development of Nomaphila Stricta.

When the temperature of the aquatic environment drops to + 20⁰С, Nomaphila Stricta dies.

The requirements for water parameters are no less strict. The plant will grow well in an aquatic environment characterized by:

  • rigidity (from 8⁰);
  • acidity (from 7 pH);
  • the presence of nitrates (from 10 mg / 1 l of water).

It is necessary to adjust the water parameters carefully – this aquatic culture is sensitive. And under inappropriate conditions, the leaves of Nomaphila Stricta will quickly fall off, and instead of a plant rich in foliage, you will get a long, bare stem.

LIGHTING CONDITIONS

Nomaphila Stricta needs bright light in large quantities. Indeed, in nature, the plant grows under the constant hot tropical sun. Therefore, the aquarium must be equipped with auxiliary light sources.

The backlight power is calculated from the volume of the container. For every 1-1.5 liters, half a watt of power is needed.

  • You can use any lamps: fluorescent, incandescent or LED floodlights. Try to keep the water area fully illuminated, in every corner.
  • Be sure to equip side lighting as well – it will help preserve the lower leaves of Nomaphila Stricta. Daylight hours for nomaphil are set at 12-13 hours. If there is enough light, the culture will react with a dark brown stem color.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

Since we are equipping a tropical aquarium for Hygrophila corymbosa, a good filtration system becomes necessary. But powerful aeration in the aquarium where nomafila grows is not required. This culture is able to independently solve the problem of purification.

So that the water jet does not interfere with the plant and does not harm it, use special devices for dispersing the jet – “flute” or “waterfall”.

WHAT KIND OF SOIL IS NEEDED

When planting Nomaphila Stricta, it is advisable to put a layer of clay under its root system. The clay layer will allow the roots to take root well and quickly take root in the culture.

In this case, additional feeding is not needed. If there is no clay substrate – under the roots of Schisandra, it is necessary to add tablets for feeding aquatic crops – for example, Tetra-Crypto. The total soil thickness should be between 6-7 cm.

REQUIRED FERTILIZERS

Nomafila needs regular feeding. Without an additive containing magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, the culture will lose its rich appearance, and its leaves will begin to curl, wither, turn yellow and become covered with brownish spots. Therefore, as soon as such signs are noticed, a complex fertilizer is added to the aquatic environment.

It is necessary to constantly feed Hygrophila corymbosa in small quantities so that the plant “gets used” to nutrition. A sudden and dramatic increase in trace elements in the water can negatively affect the state of the culture.

Nomaphila Stricta Plant propagation

Nomaphila Stricta propagates by cuttings. It is very easy to do this:

  • From a healthy plant, the upper shoots are carefully cut off.
  • The cuttings are placed in separate containers (it is better to use clay pots) and set in the soil of the aquarium.
  • As soon as the shoots sprout roots, the culture is transferred to a permanent residence.

You can put the cut stalk into the water area for “free swimming”. But in this case, the top leaves of the culture will actively reach for the light. Because of this, the spine acquires an irregular, curved shape (such a defect cannot be corrected).

Pruning the upper shoots of Nomaphila Stricta does not harm the culture. On the contrary, such a procedure leads to an increase in the splendor and density of the foliage.

Nomaphila aquarium plant Varieties

The genus nomaphil was described by the botanist-naturalist Blumen in 1861. All representatives of this family come from the subtropics and tropics of Asia and Africa.

The total number of varieties of this culture fits into 10 species. Experts include the following among the most common aquarium plants of the genus nomafil:

NameDescriptionPeculiarities
Long-leavedvisually similar to the narrow-leaved hygrophila, this species can also grow on the surface of the water, but in the air the leaves of the Nomaphila Stricta are shortened, coarse, and the stem is pubescentnot as strict to lighting as Nomaphila Stricta and retains the foliage in the water of low hardness for longer, the cuttings of the culture quickly take root and get used to the new environment
Toothedhas wide deciduous plates with pronounced denticlesnot as decorative as other subspecies, does not tolerate soft water
Thailanda large plant with a very dense deciduous part, the leaf blade can reach up to 10-12 cm in length and 2-3 cm in widthit has high decorative qualities, prefers water of medium hardness

Nomaphila Stricta compaitables in aquarium

Among the huge range of species of fish, shrimp, aquarium crayfish and crabs, Nomaphila Stricta has only one “ill-wisher”.

This is a catfish-sticking or cleaner (Ancitrus). Catfish loves to feast on Nomaphila Stricta leaves, which causes great damage to the decorative qualities of the plant.

Among the plant representatives of the water area, Schizandra does not have enemies. But it is worth considering the active growth of this plant, which can literally occupy the aquarium space and certain requirements for water parameters.

Not every aquatic culture follows these criteria.

Do not plant other types of crops too close to Nomaphila Stricta. Better yet, separate them with decorative accessories (driftwood, stone, etc.).

  • Any type of aquatic plants that feel comfortable in the conditions required for Nomaphila Stricta can be planted in a container for Nomaphila Stricta.
  • And for species like Pistia (whose leaves drift on the water surface), you need to be careful not to let them grow.
  • Otherwise, Nomaphila Stricta will not have access to the surface of the water – and for this species it is very important to grow not only in the water layers, but also above them.

Nomaphila Stricta diseases and pests

For Nomaphila Stricta, it is extremely important to comply with all the requirements for the composition of water and illumination established for it. If the rules are not followed, the plant begins to wither and get sick. All the shortcomings will be evidenced by a change in culture:

  • poor stem growth, crushing leaves, their fragility: lowering the temperature of the water layer;
  • falling foliage, exposing the plant stem: too soft aquatic environment;
  • poor crop growth: excessively thin soil layer;
  • dying off of deciduous mass: lack of illumination;
  • change in the color of the leaves, the appearance of spots on them: lack of nutrients.

Nomaphila Stricta also knows how to bloom with unusual beauty small flowers. If the plant feels uncomfortable, sick, and weak, it will not bloom.

The life span of an aquatic plant also depends on attention and competent care. In skillful hands, Nomaphila Stricta grows continuously, shoots change each other, providing the culture with almost endless life. Under comfortable conditions, Hygrophila Corymbosa can grow up to 10-12 cm per week.

Nomaphila Stricta Facts

Throughout the long-term practice of observing Nomaphila Stricta, aquarists have identified several interesting points affecting this amazing species:

  • in the air, Nomaphila Stricta develops much faster than in water;
  • as soon as the amphibian plant has reached the end of the water layer and “escaped” from it, it is able to throw off all its underwater leaves and begin to build up the “airy” deciduous mass;
  • the stem of Nomaphila Stricta is particularly durable – it is difficult to break it even for an adult;
  • if you regularly shorten the stalk (cut it off), then Nomaphila Stricta will accelerate its growth several times.

Beautiful appearance, ease of care, the ability to live in both environments at once; watery and airy, make Nomaphila Stricta an ideal aquarium decoration. And, given the benefits that culture brings to the aquarium environment, this nomafila deservedly takes the place of a favorite among the huge variety of representatives of aquatic flora.

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