Encyclopedia - Plants for ponds
Ulva-like Aponogeton
Aponogeton ulvaceus
It has broad elongated, large-waved light-green leaves on long petioles with a distinct reticulate venation pattern. Under aquarium conditions it reaches a height of 50-70 cm. This Aponogeton should be kept in a large aquarium, placing it in the background.
The ulva-like Aponogeton shows a pronounced growth periodicity: roughly twice a year, after vigorous growth and flowering, the plant sheds all its leaves, leaving a tuber in the substrate that remains dormant for 2-3 months.
Both tropical and moderately warm aquaria are suitable for keeping the ulva-like Aponogeton. The optimal temperature during the growing season is 22-26 °C. Water should be soft (hardness less than 8°) with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. In harder water old leaves deteriorate quickly. However, note that at hardness below 1° the leaves become smaller. During the dormant period the tubers need not be removed from the common substrate if the water temperature does not exceed 22-23 °C. In a warmer aquarium tubers are better not left after leaf drop. They should be placed in damp sand and stored at a temperature not higher than 20 °C for about two months. After that they are transferred to an aquarium with fresh water where optimal growth conditions are provided. During the growing period regular water changes are necessary—preferably weekly—up to 1/4 of the aquarium volume.
The plant requires bright lighting. For artificial light sources it is best to use fluorescent lamps of the LB type, with a power of about 0.5 W per 1 L of aquarium volume. Incandescent lamps can also be used to grow the ulva-like Aponogeton, but luminaires with such lamps must have a very high power—about 2 W per 1 L. With insufficient light the plant becomes strongly elongated, losing its decorative qualities. The photoperiod during periods of rapid growth should be at least 12-14 hours.
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