How do I get rotala red?
First and foremost: bright light is key. There are a few plants that will be vibrant red even under moderate lighting conditions (Ludwigia super red is a good example), but most rotalas and need intense lighting (in the right spectrum/wavelength) to achieve full-color potential.
Why is rotala HRA not red?
Certain species such as rotala rotundifolia variants and Ludwigia arcuata only get very red under nitrate limitation and they will not achieve high degree of redness no matter how much light you throw at it without NO3 limitation.
What does rotundifolia mean?
The specific epithet (rotundifolia) is derived from the Latin words rotundus meaning “round”, “circular” or “spherical” and folium meaning “leaf”.
Why are my aquarium plants turning red?
The profiles of various aquatic plants talk about how vitally important certain nutrients such as iron are for the reddening of an aquatic plant. Especially when high levels of nitrate are present, the leaves of certain plants turn green or brownish. It’s with a lack in nitrate that makes them turn truly red or pink.
How do I make my aquatic plant red?
Carbon dioxide plays a vital role in aquatic plant development, growth and phenotype. Many plants that appear green will transition to having red accents or even become completely red when adequate CO2 levels are provided. For most planted tank keepers, somewhere between 20-40 ppm CO2 ends up being the perfect amount.
Can rotala grow without CO2?
It is tolerant of a wide range of water parameters and is an easy plant to grow; it does well even in aquariums without carbon dioxide injection after a period of adjustment. However, having sufficient light and CO2 allows it to grow with better density, and better coloration.
Where does the Rotala rotundifolia plant come from?
Rotala Rotundifolia is a popular and well recognized stem plant originating from Southeast Asia. It can be characterized by the long delicate stems with thin round vertical leaves shooting out from the side of the stems. When dosing high iron and Plant Food fertilizer, this stem plant can develop an intense red coloration.
What kind of plant is a butterfly mini?
Common Name: Butterfly Mini, Rotala Macrandra Rotala Macrandra is a dramatic back or mid-ground stem plant with red leaves that make a striking contrast to the usual green foliage. This plant can be difficult to grow since it requires very higher levels of light and nutrients.
Which is the best color for Rotala macrandra?
Given the proper growing conditions, Rotala Macrandra grows quickly. It is recommended to supplement iron and micronutrients for Rotala Macrandra to develop the best color. They will be their brightest red when nitrates are low, but phosphate and micronutrients are high.