Friday, 8 November 2024

Propagation of Echinodorus opacus 'Iguazu 2009' - Crown division


The Echinodorus opacus 'Iguazu 2009' is a stunning, still relatively rare aquatic plant. Originating from the river systems around the Iguazu Falls region, this plant is known for its robust nature and ability to adapt to a wide range of water parameters. With its dense foliage and unique coloration, it makes a beautiful addition to aquariums.

Propagating Echinodorus opacus 'Iguazu 2009' can be challenging but rewarding, as this variety does not readily produce runners or adventitious plantlets. Instead, the most effective method of propagation is crown division, which involves carefully separating the plant at its crown.
Before diving into the propagation process, it's essential to understand the structure of Echinodorus species. Like many in the Echinodorus genus, 'Iguazu 2009' is a rosette plant, meaning that it grows from a central base or "crown," with leaves emerging in a circular pattern. The crown is essentially a thickened stem, where all roots and leaves are attached.

Dividing this crown is a methodical process that requires precision, as improper division can damage the plant. With patience and careful handling, crown division can yield multiple plants from a single healthy specimen.

Preparation and required tools

For successful propagation, gather the following materials:

  • A healthy plant specimen with a well-developed crown and robust root system
  • Sharp, sterilized knife /razor blade to minimize the risk of bacterial infection
  • A suitable substrate (such as nutrient-rich aqua soil) for replanting
  • Tweezers
  • Terracotta pots (if you want to grow them for further propagation - it's simpler)
  • Aquarium plant fertilizers (root capsules and/or liquid)

The crown division to half method

The "division to half" technique involves splitting the crown into two portions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:

Step 1: Remove the plant from the substrate

Carefully uproot the plant from its substrate. Gently shake off any attached substrate particles to expose the roots.

Step 2: Examine the crown and root system

Once the plant is free from the substrate, examine its crown and root structure. The plant should have a sufficiently thick crown and multiple healthy roots. If it appears too thin or weak, it’s better to allow it to grow further before attempting division.

Step 3: Cutting the crown in half

Locate the center of the crown and find where the new leaf will develop. It is best to leave that part intact so that part of the plant continues to grow unhindered.



Step 4: Replanting devided plants

Plant each divided half back into the substrate or in the posts.

Root fertilizer on the bottom.

Bury the roots, but keep the crowns just above the surface.


Top part may have less roots, but it will continue to grow and develop stronger root sistem very soon.


To preventing if from uprooting stainless steel wire can be used as an ancor.



Step 5: Waiting

After 10-15 days bottom part will form a new shoot.


Sometimes it can form 2, even 3 shoots at the same time!

Step 6: Separation of young plants from the mother plant

When a new plant(s) develop at least 2 bigger rounded leaves, they can be separated from a mother plant.

Leaves of the mother plant can start to yellowing/dying off, but that is normal, especially if it has less leaves. This plant had only 2 leaves but still managed to support a new plantlet.

Plantlet can be separated with a sharp knife. Cut close to the mother plant.


Now the plantlet can be pulled out.



And that's it, we have a new plant!
The mother plant can be kept to produce more plantlets. Even if it loses all its leaves, if the crown is healthy, it can create new shoots.
The top of the mother plant will be ready for the next division (using the same method) when at least 3-4 new leaves have grown.

Saturday, 3 August 2024

"Torrent" - Contest tank 2024


Inspired by a rushing mountain stream flowing through the woods, this aquascape captures nature's raw beauty. Torrent waters shape the stones, creating a dynamic underwater landscape. Plants cling to the rocks, thriving despite the fast currents. This aquatic world reflects the resilience and harmony of nature.

Wednesday, 20 December 2023

"Jurassic World" - 96L aquascape [Update!]


This aquarium is inspired by Jurassic World. Hardscape made of Red Moorwood and Fossilized Wood on which various ferns grow - a good combination to evoke that period. The fish I am planning to introduce are Parambassis sp. / Gymnochanda sp. and something more bizarre looking (the weirder the better :)) depending on what will be available. Some of the plants are still not planted such as Bucephalandra and some ferns as I am waiting for the aquarium to stabilize a bit, even though the filter has been in operation since the last setup.

Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Growing Microsorum sp. from the leaves

Microsorum pteropus or Java fern is a popular undemanding aquarium plant. There are many varieties of this plant in the hobby, some are quite expensive and difficult to obtain. It is a slow growing plant so if you have a small amount and would like to multiply it quickly, this is one of the ways to do it.

First you need to cut off the older leaves of the plant. To tie them down, you can use a rock or a piece of stainless steel wire mesh:


Arrange the leaves parallel, next to each other and tie them to a stone or mesh with fishing line so that the underside of the leaf is facing up:


Black spots or circular bumps that develop on the undersides of the leaves are sporangia (reproductive organs). From them new plants will be born.

Now put the tied leaves into the aquarium and wait. After 3-4 weeks you will see plenty of plantlets:


The plantlets are big enough and can be detached from the old leaves:



They can be glued to the hardscape with gel type super glue. From each plantlet new plant will grow:



Thursday, 16 March 2023

"Green Echoes" - 292L aquascape

This aquascape is inspired by a river bank where fallen trees, branches and roots are exposed to the flow of water. But despite this, life goes on and various plants come to life growing on driftwood and rocks above and below the water surface.

Hardscape

Tuesday, 8 November 2022

DIY - Desktop Nano Tank

This build is for a 5 liter nano tank with canister filter hidden in the stand.

Monday, 15 August 2022

Growing 'Monte Carlo' (Micranthemum tweediei) on Hardscapes


Micranthemum tweediei also known as 'Monte Carlo' is one of the easiest carpeting plants to grow in aquarium as a carpet in the foreground. Recently, it is very popular to grow this plant on the hardscape (stones and wood) as an epyphite plant with amazing downward creeping manner.

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Amano shrimp vs. Black beard algae (BBA)

If you wonder how efficient Amano shrimps are against BBA, here is my story. This aquarium I have used as an experimental tank; fertilizer testing, CO2, photoperiod, water flow... Like the most of my experiments, it resulted in disaster. First there was a problem with green algae (Hair algae, GSA) which I managed to fix, but then BBA appeared. We all know how stubborn this algae is and it is difficult to eradicate it even when the cause is removed. Well, it can be done with some chemicals like direct spraying with H2O2 or Excel / Easy Carbo, but these chemicals can very easily kill some sensitive plants and especially mosses. I decided for a more natural approach and give Amano shrimps a chance. This is the result;

Tuesday, 27 April 2021

Nano aquascape - "By the Sea"


Dimensions: 59x20x15cm - 17 liters or 4.5 gallons
Lighting: Chihiros RGB60
Filtration: Eden 501 (sponge, ceramic rings) 
CO2: Pressurised 1 bubble every 3 seconds
Substrate: Pool filter sand, gravel 1-3mm, peat
Hardscape: Seiryu stones, Lava rocks
Flora: Riccardia chamedryfolia, Bucephalandra sp. 'Kedagang Mini type 3', Utricularia graminifolia, Eleocharis acicularis, Myriophyllum sp. 'Guyana'
Fauna: Sundadanio axelrodi 'Blue', Neocaridina davidi var. 'Blue Jelly', Clithon corona

Monday, 9 March 2020

Cryptocoryne nurii var. raubensis 'Rosen Maiden'



This beautiful Crypt originates from the Malay Peninsula (Bt. Perah, Raub). In their natural habitat they grow on the stream banks in limestone soil. This is smaller Crypt and has tendency to grow very low, leaves growing horizontally. It is very easy Crypt to grow (both emersed and submerged).