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Red plants in the architectoc aquarium 2

...Ammannia gracilis
.Ludwigia glandulosa
..Ludwigia arcuata.
Ludwigia repens x L .arcuata.
Ammannia senegalensis..

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Ammannia, a marsh plant line belonging to the family of the Lythraceae or Cattail alikes of which up until now two sorts have proved to be excellent suitable for the culture in an aquarium milieu. Both types desire the same treatment, where A. senegalensis has appeared to be the most sensitive one. In a lot of cases the plants remain green or only the top colors orange, after that it grows more slowly, the leaves near the bottom become black and fall down. Cause: in our opinion it must be searched in the first place in the lack of light. But also the composition of the water is very important. Both plants appreciate to a considerable plash of light where as the temperature can be a little higher. They grow best in gently and slightly acid water. In water with a few higher KH (5 - 8) the growth indeed is a little bit slower, but the color becomes warmer and more intense. That impact can also be reached in gently acid water by putting some broken shells or chalk in the bottom at the roots. New slips must be brought on length with a sharp knife directly under a button; one must prevent to squeeze the stem. This will result in stagnation of the growth during longer time. Place them on wide distance of each other in a loose bottom of e.g. not washed river sand Addition of a some peat
and clay is recommended. Water quality gives no problems for this type.
Ammannia gracilis, the giant- Ammannia, has been introduced in the Netherlands by the flying aquarist P.J. Bussink, who brought it with him from Liberia. In nature they would occur as marsh plants.

Of these two attractive plants, Ammannia senegalensis, the congnacplant, has been known for the longest time. These type remains a little smaller and slender then the previous type. At first A. senegalsis was a very popular aquarium plant but they rapidly were already repressed by the later imported and according to some much more beautiful A. gracilis. But that is a question of taste and I assume that A. senegalsis has lost the competition because the culture is just a little more cumbersome. It is characteristic the leaves which stand two to two crosswise to the stem. Especially the leaves at the bottom are curling down a little in a typical way. Also the red color inclined to brown, which gave the plant its Dutch name, makes it uncomplicated to differentiate it from the A.gracilis. She comes from Africa as well. There she grows submerse
(under water), demurs (halfway under halfway above water) and emirs
(entirely above water). Ludwigia glandulosa of the three represented types of ludwigia in aquarium culture is the most difficult one. Only in extreme gently and acid water it will come to some good. That applies to the same extent to Ludwigia arcuata x L. arcuata if at least you want the utmost elegant and bright red plant pictured on this page. Repens like and to a lesser degree for the hybrid Ludwigia here shown. Yet here much light and addition of iron remain important too. He who satisfies those requirements meets a good growing and grateful plant.
See also F&PH info page 1, 3 and 4 and Actual vivarium and hints for at home