The cryptocorin pontederiotis marsh plant was first found in fresh waters on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It belongs to the Aronnikov family and can live in the tropics. The leaves of this type of cryptocoryne are similar in shape to the leaves of the pontederia plant, due to which the species got its name.
Appearance of cryptocoryne
Cryptocoryne pontederious has rather wide leaves that grow on long petioles. The bush does not have a stem, but is a bunch of leaves growing from one outlet. A perennial plant can extend up to 20 or even 25 cm. The lanceolate leaf plate grows from nine to fourteen centimeters, and its width is from 3 to 8 cm. To the touch the leaves of the plant are smooth and slightly wavy in shape. Above are painted in light green color, and below the plant is decorated with bright veins of mixed pink and red shades. Lighting, water composition, and other conditions affect leaf color and color intensity. The tip of the leaf is pointed, and the base to which the stalk is attached is in the shape of a heart.
The inflorescence flower of such a cryptocoryne is rather bizarre, small in size and complex in tubular shape. The lower part of the tube is expanded, inside there is a neat small ear up to 3 cm in length. The inflorescence grows in such a way that the upper part is above the water level, and the lower part is in the water. Thus, the inside is always dry. Moreover, the lower part is separated by a kind of valve. In such a protected area, up to 6 female flowers and more than 100 male flowers are hidden. Male flowers are located higher on the cob.
Conditions of detention
Of course, the decoration of a greenhouse, an aquarium or a paludarium can be a plant such as cryptocoryne pontederious. The maintenance of this aquatic plant, both terrestrial and underwater species, requires special conditions, namely a humid environment and tropical climate. Comfortable temperature for cryptocoryne ranges from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. Nutrient soil should include turf land, peat, humus and sand. By the way, the appearance of land and underwater cryptocorynes is no different.
Cryptocoryne pontederioides - a plant with a developed root system. Thanks to her, she holds fast in the ground and feels comfortable. Having a relatively large number of leaves, the plant needs abundant nutrition for normal development. Therefore, the soil of the aquarium must be saturated with all important trace elements. You can add clay, peat, silt from another aquarium. Clay is more convenient to add in the form of dried balls or granules. It is better to have a large thickness of soil, starting from 6 cm.
Water requirements
After the cryptocoryne greenhouse, the cryptocoryne pontederiifolia can easily move to the aquarium. A warm aquarium, where the water temperature will be maintained from 23 to 28 degrees Celsius, is well suited for this. At temperatures below 18 degrees Celsius, the plant is not worth growing. An important role is played by water hardness. A favorable environment is considered to be from 6 to 20. When the water hardness level drops below 4, there is a likelihood of a “cryptocorin disease”. With this disease, the leaves of the plant begin to decompose and die. However, in too soft water, cryptocoryne grows unstably. The level of acid-base medium can vary from seven to seven and a half. If the pH in hard water rises, then nothing bad will happen to the plant. But in an acidic environment, the plant will not like sharp fluctuations in balance.
Breeding Cryptocoryne
The cryptocoryne pontederiose propagates in the greenhouse much faster than in the aquarium. In conditions where the climate corresponds to the native tropics, it blooms. As a result, a juicy berry with a seed ripens.
But in artificial conditions, this method of reproduction is not used. Vegetative propagation is much more popular. The root processes of Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia can be separated from the main bush as soon as the third leaf is formed. Subsidiary bushes appear at some distance from the main bush. After that, a new young plant is planted in the ground in a new place.
Favorable lighting
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia loves diffused desaturated light. If there is an excess of lighting, the plant begins to attack the lower plants - algae. In this case, the appearance immediately loses its beautiful side. But if you create such conditions of detention under which there is enough food only for cryptocoryne, excess light will turn into an advantage. And the colors of the leaves and inflorescences will become brighter. This can be achieved by feeding directly under the roots.
Like any aquarium plant, cryptocoryne can tolerate shading, which can affect the paleness of colors and stretching. Do not experiment with natural light, as it provokes the rapid growth of algae. It would be more appropriate to choose lamps of artificial lighting. An interesting result can be obtained by mixing incandescent and fluorescent lamps. The more attractive cryptocoryne looks, the more correctly the lighting is selected.
