Rotala Indica (large pot)

Description

Note: depending on stock availability, we will either send emersed or submerged forms of rotalas in general. Both forms have different leaf shape too.

Quantity: large pot

Origin: South-east Asia

Plant positioning: Midground & Background

Light requirement: Medium

CO2 requirement: Low

Plant difficulty level: Easy

Plant Propagation: Stem cuttings

In India, we can sell this Rotala indica aquatic plant via online delivery systems to many states including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha (Orissa), Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and  West Bengal.

Order: Myrtales

Class: Magnoliopsida

Family: Lythraceae

Genus: Rotala

Species: indica

Rotala is an Indian origin plant. Rotala indica is among the favourites in the aquascape industry because it is a pure flowering plant that exudes beauty. It stands upright the ground and creeps upward with its shiny green leaves and pink flowers. It can be dense creating a bush. Its soft stem can grow to a maximum length of 60 cm, and once it starts, you will notice the stem turning reddish at the topmost. Its intersecting leaves are colored green on its top and pink on the lower part. You will later see these leaves turn yellowish when it reaches its peak.

The topmost part which is the axil is where its flower blooms from its triangular-shaped sepal. You are most likely to find four tiny petals in shade of pink on each flower.

Each leaf is oblong in shape and measures 3cm. It changes in color depending on Illumination, CO2 and micronutrients provided.

Mode of propagation

This species of plant can break apart easily when mishandled. Active fish in your tank can cause severe damage to its soft stem.

This amphibious plant multiplies invasively in moist areas as Rotala indica emersed and in ponds or aquarium in the submersed state.

Planting them individually into the substrate will need enough spacing of at least two centimetres. Substrate comes in different colors and can be finely granulated gravel or just plain sand.

If you have just bought the plant, allow it to rest for a while in your environment before you place it in your tank. Do not worry in case you see these stem plant going dull when newly planted in the substrate. They are adapting yet to its new habitat, and they will stabilize in a day or two. Make sure you cut the plant with enough allowance of at least an inch. Strip the leaves off the newly cut stem and replant them firmly onto the ground.

Over time, you will notice the plant developing roots on its node. This will aid the baby plant to firmly hold onto the substrate.

You may prune the plant regularly to attain a neat and orderly arrangement. Constant trimmings allow the cut particles to fall off in the ground to develop new stalks to grow.

Occasionally, Rotala can produce seeds to create new plants through its natural sexual reproduction. Multiplication takes place when tiny Rotala Indica thrives in a span of one or two months.

Caring

This plant only requires low maintenance and is not about to pose any danger with other living creatures in your aquarium.

Requirements

Water Temperature: within 22-28°C

hardness:   3 to 8 dGH

light: Moderate to High Illumination

CO2:   20-30 mg/litre

pH level:   6.0 to 7.5

Nitrate levels of 5 mg/litre of water

phosphate levels of1.5 to 2 mg/litre

Sufficient dose of iron

Enough Potassium

Iron-rich fertilizers

Rotala indica as an aquarium plant:

Rotala Indica is indeed a favourite aquarium plant that is capable of growing tall and firm fitting in the background. It is a perfect plant that can adapt well to any type of water.

As another addition to your new aquarium, this stem plant grows in the shortest period. It thrives well even on water’s surface, thus known as emersed. You might not see the distinction between emersed and submersed unless you scrutinize very well.