Hygrophila polysperma

Indian water friend

The Indian Hygrophila ( Hygrophila polysperma ) is a marsh plant of the family Acanthaceae ( Acanthaceae ). It plays a role in the aquarium, where he is among the most frugal and persevering aquarium plants.

Appearance

The color of the cross against constantly stationary blades is dependent on the ground. Plants on nutrient-poor subsoil are bright green. Plants that are on clayey- loamy soil, can on the bottom have a reddish- brown color in particular. In plants, which is purchased as bunches for planting of aquariums, one can observe this change in leaf color within a few days. In well-fertilized soil aquariums the newly expelled leaves are colored brown - reddish.

In good light conditions the plant branches plentiful. You can then form a very dense stand.

Dissemination

The Indian water friend is from India and Bhutan. He was also introduced in Mexico and is there to the neophytes. About the natural water conditions under which flourishes of Indian water friend, nothing is known. In Mexico, he was so far mainly found in channels where the water has a very high pH. There he grows semi- emersed, that is, that only parts of the plant are in the water.

Hunting and

The Indian water friend is one of the fast-growing plants that is recommended for both beginning aquarists as well as for first planting of aquariums. Since it is often offered as bunches, it is relatively inexpensive to purchase. In covenant commodity form multiple shoots are usually sold, which can be planted individually. Bad rooted sprouts often propel it on again. They can be fastened with needles planting in the ground. In this way, larger aquariums areas can be planted quickly.

It also copes with a wide range of different water levels, temperatures and lighting conditions. Even though they obviously in the wild preferred hard water, it thrives even at low pH values. Like all plants requires these carbon dioxide. However, the requirement of the plant is so low that additional carbon dioxide fertilization is not necessary.

The Indian Hygrophila grows at water temperatures between 20 ° and 28 ° C and then rapidly forms large stands out. It grows so fast that it must be shortened regularly. By planting cut side shoots can be propagated vegetatively. In dimly lit aquariums both height growth and the shoot formation is limited. The leaves turn in the upper water regions usually brown - red, so that color accents can be set with the plant.

The trade is under the name of Hygrophila polysperma ' Pink Annoying ' - in trade sometimes called Hygrophilia rosae australis - an interesting colored variant of the plant available. The veins of this variety are white, pink leaf coloration. The dyeing is believed to be caused by a virus, which is only affects this plant and is not transmitted in other ways. Probably due to the infection near the leaf veins not enough chloroplasts formed, whereby the leaf nerves appear white. The white- colored variegation may, however, lose again over time.