Ammania bonsai is an aquarium plant with small green leaves. It is ideal for creating your own ecosystem in a nano aquarium. This plant is widely used as a decoration. It is compact and slow growing, which is why it has won recognition among avid aquarists.
Description
Ammania bonsai belongs to the genus of herbaceous plants. Family – Derbennikovs. The birthplace of culture is West Africa. In nature, the plant can be found growing along river banks and in flooded areas. This crop is known to many aquarium owners as Rotala Elatinamorph. However, she has a number of other designations:
- Amelenia Uliginos;
- Ameletia Indica;
- Rotala Indica.
Representatives of this genus are a specially bred product of breeding work. It is preferable to grow it in small aquariums, placing it along the walls. In this case, Ammania Bonsai creates the mesmerizing effect of a beautiful carpet. Due to its appearance, it is often used as a decoration for small aquariums.
Appearance
This crop has a straight and firm, upright stem. Its surface is quite fleshy. There are many small leaves about 1 cm in size on it. They are oval in shape. The front side is usually reddish green and the back is purple. The culture grows up to 20 cm in height and up to 2 cm in width.
The underwater part of the culture has lanceolate leaves, the length of which reaches 12 cm and the width is 2 cm. Inflorescences are formed on Ammania bonsai. They contain 3 to 7 flowers in a delicate lavender shade. The fruit resembles a two-celled spherical capsule with seeds inside.
Keeping in the aquarium
This culture belongs to the category of fragile and whimsical plants. Keeping it in an aquarium requires certain knowledge and adherence to several rules. Ammania bonsai is very sensitive to the temperature of the water in the tank. Any deviations from the norm will lead to the death of the plant. The water temperature should be at least 23 ° C, and no more than 26 ° C.
The hardness of the water is also important. The minimum values are dH 2 °. The maximum mark must not exceed dH 11 °. Experts recommend to adhere to the average dH 2 ° to create favorable conditions for the plant.
Don’t forget about acidity. It is necessary to regularly monitor its level. This indicator should be in the range of pH 6.5-7.
Filters should work around the clock. This plant loves crystal clear water. The fluid should be changed once every 7 days. A CO2 supply is recommended. Thus, the plant will be in the most favorable environment for it.
River sand or fine gravel is used as a soil for Ammania bonsai. The most suitable is medium-silted soil. Gravel or sand should be placed on the bottom of the aquarium as a layer. The thickness of the layer should be about 1.5 cm. When planting, leave a distance of at least 3-4 cm between the plants, otherwise the growing mini-bushes will interfere with each other’s development.
The lighting should be bright and intense. The optimum is 0.5 W / L. This indicator allows the culture to form graceful leaves with a reddish undertone at the top of the stem. A lack of light will cause the lower leaves to grow dull and slowly rot. Due to this phenomenon, Ammania bonsai loses its attractiveness and does not look aesthetically pleasing. Daylight hours should last at least 12 hours. Keep in mind that excessive lighting will also harm the plant.
This culture needs regular feeding. It is preferable to choose mineral complexes in liquid form. They will have a positive effect on plant growth and leaf color. Top dressing should be introduced during water replacement. When choosing a fertilizer, carefully study the composition. It should contain iron, phosphates in a volume of 1.5-2 mg / l, and nitrates up to 5 mg / l.
Ammania bonsai should not be planted in an aquarium where it is planned to keep large and active fish that dig up the soil. As a result of such actions, the leaves and stem may be damaged. The culture should not be placed in the same tank with Blackbeard algae. They destroy the tissues of the plant, and also create a deficiency of light for it.
The culture is susceptible to attack by water aphids. It leaves small dark holes on the leaves.
Pruning
Since Ammania bonsai grows rather slowly, it does not need to be trimmed. However, if it was required, then it is important to know about the intricacies of this procedure:
- you need to cut off 2/3 of the culture, starting from the top;
- the cut off part can be put in a new place.
Do not allow the plant to overgrow strongly, as this will negatively affect the growth of young shoots, and will also cause the shoots to fall off and rot.
Interesting Facts
Many refer to Ammania bonsai as a common aquarium plant. However, it is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. The plant has some pretty interesting facts:
- Initially, only Buddhist monks and priests were involved in its cultivation. It gained popularity among the people only after several hundred years.
- In nature, representatives of this culture can live for several centuries, while their height will not exceed 80 cm.
- Ammania bonsai is widely used in the arts.
- In 1881, the culture began to be used on the farm.
- The culture got its name in honor of a professor at Leipzig University and a German doctor – Paul Ammann.
Ammania bonsai is an interesting plant. It is especially common in India, Vietnam, Japan, and China. When favorable conditions are created, it will become the main decoration of a nano aquarium.
Ammania bonsai in the aquarium – video
