Limnophila plant sessile flowering
Limnophila, or ambulia, is one of the most attractive representatives of the aquarium flora. It grows naturally in the tropical regions of India and on the island of Sri Lanka.
What does limnophila sessile flowering look like?
The plant looks best in the background in a tall aquarium, as it creates lush, ornate thickets of light green color.
The thickets of limnophiles resemble a real jungle
Characteristic:
- long erect stems;
- pinnate leaf blade;
- small flowers of a white or blue shade with dark specks;
- dense rosettes of leaves on the surface of the water.
Ambulia grows rapidly, adding more than 15 cm per month, so it needs enough space. The minimum volume of the aquarium is 80 liters, the height is 50-60 cm.
The algae purifies and saturates the water with oxygen, serves as a good shelter for fry.
Algae prefers bright light. Therefore, she needs to provide a day of light with a duration of at least 10 hours. Lack of light leads to the fact that the plant loses its decorative effect, as the stems become thinner and stretch upwards.
Ambulia is a thermophilic plant. The optimum temperature for the aquatic environment is 23-28 ° C. In cool water, the algae stops growing. The plant thrives equally well in a hard or soft water aquarium. Ambulia loves fresh water, so you need to change 25% of the water weekly.
The plant does not need fertilizing, it is quite enough of those nutrients that enter the reservoir when feeding its inhabitants
The roots of the plant are thin and weak, therefore, it is better to use coarse sand as a substrate. Too silty soil slows down the growth of algae. If the substrate is too large, the stems are easily damaged and begin to rot. As a result, the shoots float to the surface. But in this position, they grow poorly and lose their attractiveness.
The plant propagates by cuttings. 20-centimeter cuttings are simply planted in the aquarium soil. After a short time, they will give roots from the base of the lower leaves. If the algae spreads over the surface and spoils the appearance of the aquarium, then it is better to simply cut and root the creeping branches. Any manipulations with the algae must be carried out very carefully, since the leaves are very delicate and can be easily damaged.
The limnophil plant is relatively unpretentious and therefore one of the best options for beginner hobbyists.