Cryptocoryne sivadasanii

Cryptocoryne sivadasanii is a relatively new plant. In nature, it grows in rivers flowing in the southwestern part of India. Until recently, this plant remained very rare and it was a great fortune to find it in the collections of aquarists. This was also due to the fact that Cryptocoryne sivadasana was practically not sold in pet stores. The plant is named after Professor Sivadasana, who first discovered it in 1976.
Cryptocoryne sivadasanii is a seasonal aquatic plant that grows in small rivers with gravelly sandy soil. During the rainy season, when river water levels rise, the plant forms long submerged leaves over a meter in size. With the onset of drought, as the water level drops, Cryptocoryne sivadasana blooms, forming above-water very short, narrow, stem-like leaves, while the submerged leaves die off. It should be noted that despite its seasonal growth in nature, this plant can be grown in aquarium conditions. The growth rate is slow.
Cryptocoryne sivadasanii is a very demanding plant and should therefore only be recommended for use by experienced aquarists. The plant requires a dormant period, during which time it sheds almost all of its leaves. During this period, the plant is removed from the aquarium and placed in humid conditions, such as greenhouses. After holding in such conditions for 2-3 months, the plant is again placed in the aquarium. When placed in an aquarium, it is desirable to plant the plant in a ceramic pot. Place the bush in the aquarium should be in the background.
Water parameters: temperature 22-28° C, hardness dH 2-10°, acidity pH 5,0-7,5. It is necessary to feed CO2 in the proportion of 20 - 30 mg / l.
As a substrate, it is desirable to use river sand. Under the roots of the plant should put a few lumps of clay.
Lighting intensity 0,2-0,3 W / l. The duration of the daylight hours is about 10 hours a day.
Reproduction
Propagate Cryptocoryne sivadasanii can be both vegetatively and by seeds. And the vegetative method of propagation of the plant is somewhat different from that of other cryptocorynes. For this purpose, not annual root-like shoots are used, but perennial, so-called rhizomes. In the case where the rhizome is cracked in half, then on one of the halves, and in some cases on both, there is one bud each. From this bud, if the conditions are right for development, a new plant will eventually grow.
Cryptocoryne sivadasanii blooms in the winter-spring period (December-March). Pollination is required to produce seeds.