Nymphaea: landing and grooming in an aquarium

Every fan of aquarium fish dreams of having in his aquarium an amazing plant, similar to a lotus flower. Many people want to know how nymphaea are cultivated, planted and nursed. For the aquarium, there is a specific nature of these processes, since basically this plant grows in ponds and water bodies. In another way, it is also called water lilies.

This plant surprises with its unusual beauty and size. Therefore, its owners need to make a lot of effort to preserve its existence for a long time. Such troubles do not frighten anyone, because the result is worth it. Therefore, aquarists are not afraid to plant such plants in aquariums. After all, it looks so gorgeous from the outside! Varieties of flower nymphaea, planting and care, photos will be discussed in this article.

What an aquarium is needed

Since nymphaeus are very large plants, it will be necessary to purchase a large aquarium for their breeding. When the water lily grows, its leaves occupy almost all the free space in the tank, their shape is very similar to the Latin letter V.

To date, we know of three species of nymphaea, landing and care for which is adapted to aquariums. They are most common throughout the planet and are actively grown by aquarists.

Dimensions of the nymphaeum

Depending on the location of large leaves, they will grow to a certain length and petioles. They seem to be trying to find at least some free space for themselves. The largest height of the petiole, which exists in the world, is one and a half meters. But this is not a direct proof that if a plant reaches such a size, then it does not need a thorough care.

In order for the water lily to be able to fit in the aquarium, specialists have learned to delay its growth a little. In such cases, nymphaea can grow to only fifty centimeters.

Red Water Lily

Most of all for domestic growing conditions, a tiger or red nymphea is suitable. Planting and caring for this species is not specific, except for the presence of sufficient area. Tiger nymphaeus in appearance is very different from his relatives. After all, it has an unusually interesting coloring. Its leaves can be both bright green, and gently olive-colored. Also on its wide leaves there are beautiful patterns of a brown-burgundy shade.

The water lily of red color is a plant that was once grown artificially. Its leaves are painted with maroon and red flowers. The young plant is absolutely not like the more mature, because they have very different forms and sizes of leaves. The leaves of the young water lily are slightly oval and yet do not have a characteristic notch in the middle.

To touch such plants are a little rough, while the older ones have smooth leaves with a slit.

Red nymphea, leaving and landing in an aquarium which requires a large amount of free space, grows to the brim of the aquarium and occupies about half a meter square. The leaves of adult plants can float on the surface of water, and can remain submerged. As a result, half of the aquarium turns out to be dark, and only species that are not demanding lighting can be grown.

This species blooms, its reproduction is carried out mainly by radical shoots.

Bord water lily

This plant species has bright maroon leaves, which attracts fans of aquariums, and grows almost forty centimeters in height.

This plant species is a very beautiful nymphaea. Planting and caring for her is quite simple, so many aquarists buy it. Unfortunately, because of its rather impressive size, no more than two such plants can fit into the aquarium. To enable the nymphe to grow and multiply normally, it is best to give her as much of the area as possible to grow.

If there is a desire and opportunity to breed such a plant, then you should not give it up. After all, it will provide an opportunity to observe the most unusual processes that occur in the water world, and in this case directly from the owner in the house. Nymphaeas will be able to bring lightness and beauty to the house, create the impression of a fairy-tale country that many have seen only in cartoons!

Tiger (green) nymphaea

The simplest plants that do not require constant attention are the green nymphaea. Planting and caring for them is well done at home. Such a water lily can grow up to sixty centimeters. It grows fast enough and reproduces, so it is necessary to get rid of new shoots in time.

The leaves of the plant are small in size and do not grow very quickly, spreading over the entire area of the aquarium. Leaves of tiger nymphaea grow on high petioles, which come from a very powerful root system of the plant. Their appearance is pretty standard for the kind of nymphs, they have small slits in the center.

Leaves can reach huge sizes only if the water in the aquarium is not enough. Such plants very strongly resemble the most common water lilies, which are found on water bodies and ponds.

A plant of this type can begin its flowering directly in the aquarium. It produces an unusual beauty, opening mainly at night, a large white flower of the nymphaea. Planting and nursing, from the seeds, the cultivation of this crop is not very difficult, since the seeds that have fallen into the soil and mature after the flowering quickly begin to germinate and develop.

Tiger nymphaea can reproduce in a vegetative way. For the normal development of this plant, it must be fed with special feeds, which must contain a large number of useful trace elements.

Soil for growing

For the normal growth of the nymphaea, planting and care of which takes place in the aquarium, there must be a qualitative soil in the tank, which will include many organic substances in its composition. Also, it will not be superfluous to add there charcoal, clay, peat. It is best that the stones are of medium size. After all, a large shingle will only harm the leaves of the water lilies.

Also, to plant the nymphaeus for greater convenience, you can use a conventional flower pot, but you must remember to take into account the size of the plant. At the bottom of the pot you will need to tightly ground the ground with pebbles, and then put in the aquarium. It is not only convenient, but also beautiful. After all, if the fish live in the aquarium, it will give them the opportunity to move between the leaves of plants and receive additional useful microelements.

Sensitivity to light

It is very important to be informed about the fact that the tiger nymphaea is aquarium, planting and caring for which, in general, are not complicated, rather sensitive to light. When the plant does not have enough light, the stems of its leaves will begin to gradually rise up and weaken. After a couple of days, the leaves will change their bright green color to a dimmer color, which as a result can lead to the death of the water lily.

In order to prevent such an outcome of events, it is worthwhile to extend the exposure of the sun to the nymphs from ten to twelve hours a day. During this time, she will be able to receive a sufficient amount of vitamin D and develop in the right direction. When there is no opportunity to enjoy real light during the day, fluorescent lamps come to the rescue, in this case phytolamps will have a better effect. Using them allows you to increase the rate of growth of plants, if it is, of course, necessary for the owner of the flower.

Water for water lily

What is still important to consider is the quality of water used to fill the aquarium.

Maximum hardness of water should not exceed six degrees, and the acidity of the liquid must be maintained no higher than seven. Otherwise, the same situation can be repeated, as in the example with a lack of sunlight.

The most optimal water temperature in an aquarium is from twenty-four to twenty-eight degrees. If for some reason the water temperature drops to twenty-two degrees, the plant immediately notices it: it starts to slowly fade and ceases to grow.

Also good news is that the water change in the aquarium where the plant grows does not need to be done very often. On the contrary, if the water is slightly stagnant, then humic acids will begin to accumulate in it, which actively participate in the process of growth and development of the water lily. The most suitable level of filling the aquarium with a nymphaeus is not less than forty-five centimeters.

Methods of reproduction of nymphaea

The plant is characterized by two methods of reproduction. The first occurs with the help of seeds, and the second - the vegetative method. In this case, new small shoots will appear on the root of the plants. If their growth begins to exceed fifteen centimeters, they are recommended to be transplanted into a separate aquarium or a pot filled with soil.

Not everyone knows that newly formed shoots adapt very slowly to new habitats. Therefore, if in the future there are no plans to plant this plant, then from shoots that appear on the roots, it is best to get rid of it in time.

If the nymphaea lives in a flower pot, then its location must be changed after a certain time period. Spring is best for this purpose. It was during this period that the water lily is in a state of tranquil growth. Therefore, the change of her residence in any way it does not hurt.

As an ordinary plant, nymphaea, planting and care of which take place in a home aquarium, nevertheless, necessarily require fertilizing with useful fertilizers. It is best to use additives that will contain a high amount of iron. This element has a beneficial effect on the development of the water lily.