Vallisneria is a perennial herbaceous plant from the family Aquatic. It grows at the bottom of fresh water in the tropical and subtropical zones. Some varieties have successfully adapted to the border of a temperate climate. Plants feel equally good in stagnant bodies of water and in fast rivers. Its long ribbon-like leaves are located vertically in the water column, and in the upper part they spread along the surface. Foliage is highly decorative, so Wallisneria has become a favorite aquarium plant. A variety of shapes and colors allows you to make the design of an artificial reservoir interesting. Emerald leaves also benefit by purifying water and promoting oxygen saturation.
Plant description
Vallisneria is a perennial aquatic plant (true hydrophyte). It has a thin and flexible rhizome with many lateral processes. The root length is 7-10 cm. A leaf rosette and several bare mustaches (vegetative processes) grow from the very root neck.
Ribbon-shaped leaves are located vertically in the water column to a height of 50 cm to 2 m. In a shallow reservoir, the tops of leaves bend along the surface of the water. This forms a continuous green layer, which prevents the penetration of sunlight. The foliage is painted a bright green color, but may acquire a reddish tint. Compounds of various metals and calcium accumulate in the leaves, which makes them more rigid and brittle.
Vallisneria is a dioecious plant; its flowers are unattractive. Small corollas with three white petals around the yellow core gather in umbrella inflorescences on long, flexible peduncles. Mature flowers are located above the surface of the water, where pollination takes place. Each inflorescence is partially hidden under a veil common for several flowers.
After pollination, the peduncle with female flowers is shortened and twisted into a spiral. He again finds himself under water, where the fruit ripens - a multi-seeded box.
Types of Wallisneria
The classification of the genus Wallysneria has been revised several times. According to the latest data, 14 plant species are included in it.
Vallisneria is spiral. One of the first species discovered was named so because of the ability of a peduncle with female flowers to spiral. The plant is a rosette of linear leaves up to 80 cm long and up to 1.2 cm wide. The edges of the foliage are finely serrated. Separately, flowers for men and women ripen and surface. Pollination occurs by direct contact.
Wallisneria is giant. The height of the leaves of this plant can reach 2 m and a width of 4 cm. Dark green foliage grows in bunches and quickly forms a continuous swaying mass. The giant wallisneria is suitable for tall aquariums. It is planted in a corner or along the back wall.
Wallisneria tiger. A species up to 1 m tall grows light green leaves, on which small transverse strokes and dots of a darker color are clearly visible. Variegated colors and gives a resemblance to a tiger skin.
Wallisneria is American. The plant is a mop of ribbon-like soft leaves with serrated edges. The foliage is painted green with a reddish tint. Its width is 1-2.5 cm and its height is 80-100 cm. Plants are planted in the background at the back or side walls, so they are sometimes called "wallpaper for the aquarium." There are several varieties with narrower or wider leaves, but the aquarium variety "Wallisneria kruchenolistnaya" is especially distinguished. It is a leaf rosette up to 50 cm high. Each sheet about 5 cm wide from the base is curled with a corkscrew.
Vallisneria nana. This dwarf variety is distinguished by thin, like hairs, dark green leaves. When grown in an aquarium, the height is 30-50 cm, in the natural environment it reaches 70 cm. Compact foliage does not interfere with the penetration of light. The plant is positioned in the middle of the aquarium.
Breeding methods
Vallisneria is propagated by seed and vegetatively. In the first case, it is imperative to keep a male and female plant nearby. After flowering, small achenes mature on female specimens. Gradually they sink and germinate. This method is rarely used purposefully, because so many processes are formed from one bush that they have to be thinned out.
The most common vegetative propagation. It is especially relevant for varietal (decorative) varieties. Low shoots release a mustache with the rudiment of a leaf outlet at the end. Upon contact with the soil, the baby begins to develop. Roots and new leaf sockets appear from this individual. In just a year, the number of processes exceeds 100 units. When the sprout takes root, it releases 2-3 of its own leaves. Such a young bush can be carefully separated with scissors and transplanted separately at a distance of 5-10 cm from the uterine plant. It is important not to break off, but to cut off the mustache so as not to pull out all the thickets.
Plant care in the aquarium
Vallisneria is very decorative and unpretentious, so it will be a good choice for beginner aquarists. Bushes grow quickly and form dense cascades of lateral processes. So that the thickets do not occupy the entire thickness of the water, it is necessary to thin out and weed them regularly.
Plants are planted in coarse sand or gravel 4-6 mm in size. Vallisneria can take root even on a very thin layer, but it is better to plant it in the soil with a thickness of 3-4 cm. The composition of the soil does not matter much, additional peat or clay is not necessary. It is enough sedimentary suspension or rotted leaves and waste products of the inhabitants. The root neck is left on the surface.
With a lack of nutrients, vallisneria develops worse and begins to rot from the edge of the foliage. To prevent this from happening, from time to time carry out top dressing. Use fertilizer in the form of paste or tablets. A weekly renewal of 20-30% of water also helps. Additional carbon dioxide recharge is not needed.
Vallisneria has a number of water requirements. Its temperature should be + 20 ... + 25 ° C. When cooling, growth slows down or stops altogether. The acidity of the water is maintained at the level of 5-7 units. The fluid hardness should not exceed 8 °.
So that the leaves do not stretch too much and do not fade, you need bright lighting for at least 12 hours a day. With a high content of calcium salts, the ends of the leaves gradually become brittle and hard, and the ingress of rust leads to the death and decay of the foliage. Some antibiotics and drugs against algae and mollusks have a negative effect.
To control the size of the vegetation, pruning is carried out. You cannot shorten a single sheet plate, as it will die. You should remove the entire outlet, replacing it with a younger one.
Using
Vallisneria forms beautiful emerald cascades of vertical ribbon-like leaves that sway slightly from any fluctuation in water. It is planted in the background or in the middle for decorative purposes, since most fish do not eat the foliage of the plant. It remains attractive for a long time, and the shoots are of great benefit to the aquarium. They emit oxygen and saturate the water, and suspension and debris settle on the leaves or form the soil. Vallisneria also absorbs harmful impurities.
