Encyclopedia - Plants for ponds
Creeping Ludwigia
Ludwigia repens
Creeping Ludwigia is a long-stemmed plant with glossy oval leaves, dark green above and reddish-lilac beneath. Stems reach 30-40 cm in length. The plant can be kept in aquaria of any size, but with a relatively low water level, placing it along the side walls and in the midground. Even growth is observed throughout the year.
Ludwigia can be kept in moderately warm and tropical aquaria. At 20-26 °C the plant develops quite well. It grows somewhat better in water with hardness below 5-6°, with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction, but it also does satisfactorily in harder water with a slightly alkaline reaction. Regular water changes are desirable. It is very important to maintain cleanliness in the aquarium, avoiding stirring up the water and the formation of film on the leaves, as well as their overgrowth by algae.
Lighting should be fairly strong, but excess light is dangerous due to the possibility of algae appearing on the plant's leaves. Natural light is very beneficial. For artificial lighting, a combination of LB-type fluorescent lamps and incandescent lamps should be used. The power of fluorescent lamps should be approximately 0.4 W per 1 L of water. Incandescent lamps of 25-40 W are used to increase the share of red-orange rays in the lights' spectrum. The photoperiod should be at least 12 hours.
A fairly nutrient-rich substrate is necessary for Ludwigia. In an established aquarium the natural silting of the substrate is quite sufficient for it. For new substrate it is desirable to add extra fertilization in the form of clay lumps. Coarse sand laid in a layer 3-4 cm thick is the most suitable substrate. The plant's root system is relatively weakly developed, and substrate made of large particles is unsuitable for it.
Ludwigia can be propagated by stem cuttings. Cuttings should have a distinct growing point, then they quickly take root in a new place. It is best to take the upper part of the stem at least 10-12 cm long. The portion of the stem left in the substrate with the root system produces numerous lateral shoots.
© plantatlas.bio
Use of site materials is permitted only with the permission of the copyright owners.