Ammania Sp. Bonsai: (scientific name: Rotala indica)

Overview: Native to Southeast Asia, Ammania Sp.Bonsai is a fairly undemanding aquatic plant and is a great addition to aquascape, especially in nano - aquariums. Ideally, this plant is great as a mid-ground plant in freshwater aquariums, but when planted in groups, it can be grown specifically to form a dense carpet or bush.

Appearance: Ammania sp Bonsai is an upright herb with soft stems that can attain a height of 60 cm. The leaves are green on top and pinkish red in the bottom and are arranged in opposite whorls along the stem. The leaves are approximately 3 cm long, oblong or oval in shape with thick cartilaginous margins. The plant bears tiny pink flowers that have 4 petals each.

Hard/Soft plant: Soft plant

Ideal water temperature conditions: Ammania Sp Bonsai grows well in waters having temperatures between 22 and 27 degree Celsius.

Lighting conditions: Ammania Sp Bonsai prefers moderate to high lighting intensity and at least 3 to 5 gallon per gallon by full spectrum (5000 to 7000K) bulbs. The red tip of the stems is due to high lighting intensity, which adds color and vibrancy to aquariums. Otherwise, the stems become compact when exposed to low intensity.

Ideal pH conditions: Ammania Sp Bonsai thrives in good quality water with pH levels between 6.0 and 7.5.

Functions and advantages:

1) When bushy, Ammania Sp Bonsai is a great place to hide for fry and smaller fishes.

2) Versatile plant in aqua scaping and works well with both midground as well as dense carpet-like scaping.

3) Can grow in immersed condition also.

Did you know?

Ammania sp Bonsai propagates easily and can be facilitated by cutting off a part of the top stem and re-planting it in substrate soon after which roots start developing from the first node.