Alternanthera reineckii 'Lilacina'

Overview

One of the aquarium cultivars of Alternanthera reineckii. Care is the same as for the species: strong light, CO2, iron-rich fertilisation and regular tip pinching.

Appearance

The allowed sources don't describe how this form differs. As in the species, the upper leaf surface is brownish-red and the underside purple-lilac, and the colour intensifies under strong light.

Care

Shared with the species: Water hedge (Alternanthera reineckii)

• Placement: midground and background, along the side glass or in the centre of the background; plant in groups of 5–10 stems, but not too close together, as crowded leaves tend to rot.
• Light: Tropica rates its light demand as medium, but strong light is needed for intense colour; a photoperiod of about 9–12 hours is usual, keeping algae in mind.
• CO2: medium demand according to Tropica (6–14 mg/L); with strong light, CO2 injection clearly improves growth.
• Temperature: 22–28 °C.
• pH 6.5–7.0; GH 5–20.
• Substrate: the roots are weak, so use river sand or a light nutrient substrate for plants; avoid frequent replanting.
• Trimming: don't let stems grow above the water surface. Once it reaches the air, the plant sheds its lower submerged leaves. Pinch off the tips regularly, which also makes the plant bushier.
• Change about 20% of the water weekly.

Medium difficulty: Tropica rates it "Medium", and Tetra describes it as fairly demanding.

Fertilizing

Shared with the species: Water hedge (Alternanthera reineckii)

It responds well to regular fertilisation. Iron is especially important, because bright colour is impossible without it, and a shortage of micronutrients leads to pale leaves. The plant takes most of its nutrients from the water, so iron-containing liquid fertilisers work best; in densely planted tanks, add complete macro- and micronutrient fertilisers as well.

Breeding

Shared with the species: Water hedge (Alternanthera reineckii)

Propagate by cuttings. Nip off the terminal bud and plant it in the substrate; the mother plant then forms more side shoots and becomes bushier. You can also cut an adult stem into pieces with at least four leaf pairs each and let them float. Thin roots appear after about a week, and then the cuttings can be planted.

Fun facts

Shared with the species: Water hedge (Alternanthera reineckii)

• The genus name Alternanthera comes from Latin alternus ("alternate") and anthera ("anther").
• In the wild its shoots usually grow above the water, but it can stay fully submerged indefinitely.
• In a humid greenhouse it easily forms dense stands under strong light at air temperatures of 26–30 °C.
• A dwarf form, 'Mini', stays about 5–10 cm tall and can be trimmed into a red-violet carpet.