Alternantera

The Alternanter plant was first discovered and named not too long ago. His name was given to him by the Latin word "alternans", which means "changeable" in Russian. The genus Alternantera is quite large, and it includes more than two hundred different plant species, which are perennial, annual, herbaceous and shrub. Alternantera originates from South America, namely from the most tropical and hottest parts of it. It can also be found in the Galapagos Islands, Africa and even Australia. The use of Alternantera is completely different: someone grows it in their own plots, someone in pots, and someone in aquariums and terrariums.

Alternantera: flower photo

Alternantera: flower description

In appearance, the Alternantera plant can be described quite simply: sea grass. Indeed, even at first glance, it is difficult to say that Alternantera does not grow under the sea surface. Its small leaves can have one of the many plant-specific flowers. They vary from light green and olive to scarlet and burgundy. So absolutely everyone can find a suitable species for themselves. This plant also blooms, but its flowers are so small and inconspicuous that it is sometimes even difficult to notice them against the background of beautiful and colorful foliage. However, the plant is valued not at all for its flowers, but precisely for how beautiful it looks in all kinds of compositions solely due to its stunning color. Alternantera bushes reach an average of twenty-five centimeters in height, but there are also smaller species. This plant is bred, as already mentioned, both for growing in open ground, and for pots and for terrariums with aquariums.

The most popular type of Alternantera is the Brazilian Alternantera. Its distinctive feature is a very beautiful color, which combines several shades at once: light green, brown and red. Together they create a very beautiful palette that will perfectly suit any composition. However, most often it is not planted in an aquarium, but as a herbaceous plant.

If you want to improve the home of your pets, you can choose the type of Alternantera called Alternantera Reinek. It is colored in about the same way as the previous species, but it is a little more fragile and brittle bush. Therefore, you need to be very careful with the Reineck Alternator.

By the way, the size and shape of the leaves of Alternantera very much depends on the variety and varies widely. Thus, the leaves can be, for example, narrow, large, triangular or wavy at the edges. So everyone will find something to their liking.

Alternantera: flower photo

Types and varieties of Alternantera

If we are talking about taxonomy, then breeders most often subdivide four large groups of Alternanter, which you should definitely know about before proceeding directly to the choice of a variety.

• Tall large-leaved Alternanters... If we talk about representatives of this species, then we can recall the species called Juvel. Among the large-leaved species, it is this species, according to many experts, is the most attractive and, in principle, the best. The leaves of this species are distinguished by a very bright and rich red color, which is especially noticeable on the upper leaves of the bush.
• Stunted narrow-leaved. As you can see from the name, this Alternanter group is the complete opposite of the previous one. A.amonea f.rosea can be called the best representative of this group without a twinge of conscience. This plant with a very difficult to pronounce name has more elegant and visually fragile leaves than the previous species. However, they still have the same rich red color.
• Curly and narrow-leaved. We hope it makes no sense to explain exactly how the representatives of this species differ from their other relatives. The most prominent representative of this group of Alternanter is a species called A. Paranychioi. In height, this bizarre species reaches no more than ten centimeters, but its leaves have a slightly darker bright color than the representatives of the previous two groups. They can even be called brown, but a bright red tint is still present in them. There are also those varieties in this group that are completely yellow.
• Broad-leaved and trileaf. This group is just as mirrored from the third as the second is from the first. Its most prominent representative is A. versicolor. This species is so distinctive as it has almost glossy leaves that still have a very attractive purple color. You can also observe pink red and scarlet tints on them. The only disadvantage of this type of Alternanter is how negatively it reacts to the cold. However, otherwise it is incredibly good and, one might say, it grows and develops faster than everyone else.

Alternantera Reineck

Alternantera Reineck: photo of the variety

The original habitat of Alternantera Reineck is South America. It belongs to the rather large family of Amaranths Alternanter. This species has a fibrous root system that grows incredibly widely and quickly. The roots, by the way, are not thick at all and are very similar to threads. However, their length is striking compared to their thickness. The bush itself can be compared to grass, and quite tall. All leaves are perpendicular to the ground, and their shape can be described as follows: they grow up to four centimeters and have a pointed tip. They also taper towards the base. Alternantera Reineck's cuttings are also not very long. But the color varies even within the same plant. At the top, it can be brownish-brown, but closer to the soil, it can become purple or even scarlet. In general, the plant can grow up to twenty centimeters or up to half a meter.

As already mentioned, Reineck's Alternantera is considered the best decoration for every aquarium. In summer, you can see small flowers that can hardly be seen against the background of bright leaves. They are usually yellowish or pink. The stems of the plant under water grow exclusively vertically upwards. If the plant is not too deeply buried, the stem will soon be able to germinate right up to the surface of the water surface. The underwater leaves of Reinek's Alternanthera are discarded. To prevent this from happening, you must not allow the top of the bush to look out over the water. Pinching, for example, can help with this task. If you do this, the stem will begin to branch very actively and grow in different directions. This way, you can get very beautiful and lush bushes for your aquarium. As already mentioned, Alternantera Roinik is a very fragile plant, but it just grows at an incredible speed. In just a month, one bush can grow as much as fifteen centimeters. In order for Alternantera Reineck to grow faster and better, it is necessary to provide it with suitable conditions, namely: water hardness from two to twelve degrees, pH in the region of six and four tenths. The temperature is also very important for this plant. It is equal to approximately twenty-six degrees Celsius.However, Alternantera will feel good even at twenty degrees, although it is not recommended to hold this temperature for a long time. It is very important to replace at least a quarter of the volume of water per week.

Alternantera lilac

Alternantera lilac: photo of the variety

If you have not heard the name of Alternantera lilac, then you may well recognize it under a different name, for example, Alternantera Lilacin or Large Anther. The stem of this species has an elongated shape, and it is also erect. The leaves are elongated, and their ends are pointed. They also taper towards the base. The color of lilac Alternantera differs depending on where the leaf is located. If it is at the very top of the stem, it will be colored lime green, and if it is below it, it will be burgundy with raspberry tints. Each leaf reaches up to five centimeters in length, and their average width is about half the length. The height of each bush can reach half a meter, and small flowers form in the leaf sinuses.

Alternantera sedentary

Alternantera sedentary: photo of the variety

The sessile alternantera can be found in its natural habitat: in the waters of South America. Especially often you have to deal with Amazon researchers. It belongs to the rather numerous amaranth family Alternanter. In shape and size, both leaves and stems are very similar to the previous species of Alternantera. The color is significantly different. It is much darker and can be described as purplish purple. However, some leaves are so dark that you even want to call them brown. However, the sessile Alternantera plant is not always so gloomy, and if a large amount of sunlight falls on it for a long enough time, the leaves will transform and acquire a much brighter and more saturated purple hue. In order for the plant to grow and develop at an optimal rate, it is necessary to maintain a suitable temperature for it, which ranges from twenty-two to twenty-eight degrees Celsius. Of course, a lower water temperature will not kill Alternantera, but its growth will slow down significantly. The most beneficial quality of the water in which this type of Alternantera grows is its softness. It is in soft water that the plant feels most comfortable. However, it must be changed every two or three months so that the water does not stagnate for too long. The only significant disadvantage of this type of Alternanter is its weak root system, which is very easy to damage. But the pluses include the fact that it can be very easily propagated using cuttings.

However, this is not yet the end of the sedentary Alternantera, because she has as many as two subspecies, which also need to be considered.

• The first of these two is Alternanthera sessilis var. Lilacina... Despite the incredibly exotic and difficult to pronounce name, this species is very common and can be found almost everywhere, where the climate is favorable warm and humid. This plant grows, however, both under water and above water, and therefore, to see it in its natural habitat, it is not necessary to dive with scuba diving. Usually the leaves are colored green. This species is very undemanding and unpretentious, especially when grown underwater. He also doesn't really care about all kinds of water qualities such as softness and acidity. However, it is very important that, whatever the water is, it is always so. What this species really doesn't like is adapting to unfamiliar conditions. Therefore, you need to change the water more often.
• The next subspecies of sedentary Alternantera has a rather similar and difficult to pronounce name, like the previous one: Alternanthera sessilis var. rubra... This subspecies is quite rare, growing under water. Especially in vivo.However, it can still take root at the bottom, and it grows there incredibly quickly. In just a week, this type of Alternanthera can add up to twenty centimeters to its size. Also, he cannot be blamed for the insufficient number of leaves being dissolved, because the subspecies also copes with this task at the proper level. This plant branches very strongly. It has a rich emerald hue, but its flowers are distinguished by scarlet colors, so that they can even be easily noticed among the leaves. However, in order for them to bloom altogether, it is necessary to ensure that the plant has a long daylight hours, namely, about twelve hours a day.

Alternantera Betzik

Alternantera Betzik: photo of the variety

You may also have heard of this species under the name Betzikiana. The plant is perennial and herbaceous. In height, each individual reaches about twenty centimeters. The leaves have a pointed shape, and at the ends of the oblong stems you can find flowers with a rather bright color. This species is extremely thermophilic and, unlike many others, living quietly at temperatures of about twenty degrees Celsius, Alternantera Betzik does not tolerate temperatures below twenty degrees and is very likely to get sick as soon as your thermometer shows these values.

By the way, it is quite possible to find Alternantera Betzik and other colors, for example, yellow, red or green.

Alternantera red

The native home of Alternantera red is Brazil, located, as you probably know, in the already very familiar South America. The height of each bush reaches up to half a meter, and the shades of the leaves are very diverse: brown, dark red, light red, burgundy and many other shades of red, which simply cannot be counted. In order for the bush to look the most decorative, it must be trimmed in the aquarium. In addition, this is done in order to force the plant to release lateral cuttings, which make the bush much more lush and voluminous. If the species of Alternantera red is kept in fairly good conditions, namely, at a temperature of about twenty-six degrees and a pH of about seven, then soon it will start up miniature pink flowers. By the way, they complement the general appearance of this plant quite well. It is also very important to change a quarter of all the water in the aquarium to fresh water at least once a week.

Alternantera Red: photo of the variety

Alternantera green

This subspecies is also native to Brazil, where it grows mainly in very swampy areas, where water almost never moves and stagnates for a very long time. It usually grows under water, but as needed it can get out to the shore. The leaves obviously have a green tint, and the bush itself cannot be called large: it reaches a height of no more than twenty centimeters. Like the previous subspecies, this one must be cut in a timely manner in order to achieve a beautiful and lush bush shape. Flowers formed with proper care are also pale pink in color. This subspecies is growing rapidly. Also, when planting, it is necessary to ensure that the bushes are kept at a distance from each other. The minimum distance allowed is eight centimeters. Absolutely all conditions that this subspecies prefers (water temperature and acidity) are the same as in the previous subspecies. However, it is very important to monitor the temperature, because if the red Alternantera Betzik only gets sick at eighteen degrees and below, then the green one may well die. Otherwise, the care completely coincides with the description in the paragraph above: change a quarter of the water once a week and watch the daylight hours. And then Alternantera will definitely delight you with its beauty.

Alternantera multicolor

Alternantera Multicolor: photo of the variety

This species of Alternanthera, unlike many others, is found not only in South America, which is, as you probably already noticed, their favorite habitat, but also in Asia and Africa. The plant is herbaceous and perennial, and it is also very decorative and beloved by many aquarium owners, because the Multicolor Alternantera itself winds very well at the base. Multicolor is extremely unpretentious in leaving, and even a beginner can cope with it, having achieved the best results. However, this species still has one weakness: its stems are very fragile and delicate, and therefore it must be handled with great care. The bush grows in height up to twenty-five centimeters, and its leaves are quite small, although they are small in size and compensate for their multiplicity. The color, on which the name of the species hints, is very diverse and is not limited to any one shade. After all, it is, in fact, a chameleon bush that can change colors depending on how much sunlight falls on it. For example, if there is little light, then the leaves take on a greenish tint, but with an abundance of sunlight, the color of the bush can change absolutely dramatically, turning, for example, into purple. Flowers in this species are formed much less variegated than the foliage itself, however, gathered in inflorescences, they even emphasize the composition.

Alternantera cogwheel

Alternantera toothed: photo of the variety

This type of Alternantera, unfortunately, cannot be grown at all in an aquarium, because it is simply not adapted to such conditions. However, the incredible beauty of its foliage more than compensates for this shortcoming, and even sitting in a pot, the toothed Alternantera remains incredibly bright and beautiful. The color of the leaves can be described as bluish pink. Moreover, pink is incredibly rich, and blue is close to hazy purple. In general, it is much easier than imagining how amazing the cogwheel Alternantera looks - to actually see it. Trust me, you will have a lasting impression. In addition, this is one of those species, the flowers of which really look incredibly good together with the leaves, thanks to their snow-white color.

Water Alternantera

Alternantera water: photo of the variety

Scientifically speaking, this species is called Alternanthera aquatica. This plant, in comparison with all those listed above in this list, is quite large, and it grows on the shores and in the waters of the Amazon. Of course, not exclusively there, but this is its main habitat. We mentioned the exceptional size of this species for a reason, because it reaches almost three meters in length, which small bushes measuring a quarter of a meter never dreamed of. The root system of the Aquatic Alternanthera is very well developed, and the stem is hollow inside. Of course, the leaves of this giant must be quite large, which, of course, is the case. The bright green leaf plates are up to fifteen centimeters in size. The plant, by the way, is incredibly interesting. Its design allows it not to sink if the stem has been damaged. This happens because where the leaves of the plant are formed, there is a septum inside the stem. They all combine into a system that essentially divides the stem into small compartments filled with air. If such a system had not been foreseen by nature, all air, if damaged, would leave the Alternanthera, and the plant would die. In order for the plant to take root well, it is necessary to choose a suitable substrate for it. In anything other than clayey, the Aquatic Alternantera will grow extremely reluctantly. Otherwise, the process of caring for this species is quite simple.All you need is to maintain the temperature within twenty - thirty degrees Celsius, and also use sufficiently soft water, the acidity of which will not exceed seven units. It is not even necessary to feed the plant with carbon dioxide. However, there are prerequisites such as lighting. Daylight hours should last at least 12 hours a day. If all these conditions are met, then there is a great chance of flowering. However, flowers cannot boast of the same gigantic size and do not grow more than eight millimeters.

Alternantera purple

Alternantera Purple: photo of the variety

You may have already heard of this species Alternanthera under a different name: Alternantera cardinalis. It grows exclusively in water bodies and is not suitable for growing in soil. However, this species still grows above water, but only when it grows enough so that the tips of its stems touch the water surface. However, in aquarium conditions, you should not worry about this: this behavior of Alternanter purple manifests itself exclusively in the wild. This species, like most of the previous ones, will not cause you any difficulties with growing. However, while remaining a rather unpretentious species, this Alternantera is one of the most beautiful and highly valued in all circles. Its color instantly catches the eye, because even one bush contains both yellow and crimson, purple and green leaves. In the first weeks after planting, the plant, however, will not please you with too rapid growth. But it normal. In the end, he needs to get used to his new environment. After this period, if you follow the rules of maintenance, which include maintaining the temperature at about twenty-four degrees and the acidity of the water in the region of seven units, the purple Alternantera will begin to grow at a rapid rate. The advantages include the fact that this species does not so negatively affect the stagnation of water in the aquarium, so that only a fifth of the water can be replaced per week. Nevertheless, if the replacement did not occur for a very long time, stagnation in growth begins to be observed. The same stagnation can be noticed with insufficient lighting, which is especially necessary for this species. However, the main thing is not to overdo it with light, because too many direct scorching rays can leave burns on the foliage.

Alternantera mini

We hope there is no need to explain exactly how the Alternantera mini species differs from all the others, because the name speaks for itself. Yes, this species is quite miniature, and even in an aquarium, the height of its stems does not even reach twenty centimeters. However, nevertheless, the view at some point became incredibly popular in Europe, thanks to how well it fits into all kinds of compositions. Like most species, the water requirements of the Alternantera mini are about the same as those of the Reinek Alternantera, so we will not talk about them separately. However, it should be noted that even with perfect care, this variety does not grow as quickly and efficiently as almost any of its relatives. So you should not be surprised at this: slow growth is a characteristic feature of the species, due to its diminutiveness. But you can propagate the Alternantera mini both by shoots and by dividing the entire bush.

Alternantera charm

Alternantera Prelest: photo of the variety

This truly adorable species of Alternantera also grows in Brazil, however, oddly enough, it will be extremely difficult to find it outside its borders in South America. Unfortunately, this species is not intended for growing in aquariums, and its place is exclusively in the open field. The stem is small - up to twenty-five centimeters, however, a small number of shoots can be located on its sides, which will visually enlarge the bush. The color of the leaves varies and depends on almost unpredictable factors.Moreover, the range of colors is very wide: from green to burgundy. Flowers can be found at the ends of the shoots, and they bloom in every season and do not require special conditions. However, it is still necessary to observe the temperature regime (in the summer - within twenty-four degrees Celsius), and therefore, especially in winter, it is advisable to keep the adorable Alternantera indoors. During cold weather, the plant has a huge chance of getting sick, so the temperature should never drop below ten degrees, although even this is a critical mark. He especially loves this type of fertilizer, and therefore at least sometimes it will be very useful to pamper him with top dressing, and the leaves will become brighter and more beautiful. Looks very good against a background with different greens.

Alternantera Splendida

Alternantera Splendida: photo of the variety

This plant prefers swamps to rivers and lakes, but sometimes it can be found, and making an expedition across the Amazon. The stem can be either erect or creeping, due to which the plant perfectly adapts to environmental conditions. Nevertheless, among lovers of aquarium plants, this type of Alternanthera did not find the necessary popularity. And, by the way, in vain, because its unique two-tone color looks very beautiful and original. On the front side, the leaves, located on the stem, not in very large numbers, are colored yellow, but on the other, they are purple-pink. This coloration is very rare and will definitely draw attention to your aquarium. In addition, if you follow all the standard rules for caring for a flower, he will be able to delight you with even brighter colors.

Alternantera garden Osiris

Alternantera Osiris: photo of the variety

Such a complex name has one of the subspecies of a rather large garden family Alternanter. However, this is not a natural species, but a hybrid, the material for the breeding of which was collected, of course, in Brazil, already familiar to us. The stem, as befits all ground Alternanters, is erect. Moreover, it is quite long, and the leaves that form on it lush enough have a green tint. The root system, however, is very weak, so you need to be very careful to ensure that plants of this species are not susceptible to damage. By the way, the leaves of this plant have a very geometrically regular shape, and their width is almost always exactly half the length.

Caring for Alternantera

Perhaps the thing for which this plant is most valued Alternantera is its versatility, because there are not so many species that can be grown both under water and in the open field. As you may have noticed, even glancing through the list of the best species and subspecies, it is not at all difficult to care for this plant, and even a beginner can cope with this task. However, the rules are rules, and they must be followed. The indestructible rules for growing Alternanter include the following:

• Alternantera is a plant that is madly in love with sunlight, and therefore it should be under bright diffused sunlight at least twelve hours a day. However, be careful, because if the rays are straight, there is a high probability that the plant will get burned. Lack of light, however, cannot be allowed either, because it is fraught with lethargy and insufficient decorativeness of the leaves.
• Enough has been said about the temperature in the description of almost every view from above to remember that absolutely every species of Alternantera prefers temperatures in the region of twenty-four to twenty-six degrees. But if it falls below twenty, the bush grows slowly and sluggishly. In winter, the water in no case should be colder than fifteen degrees, with very rare exceptions.
• However, it is worth saying at least something that has never been mentioned before: Alternantera flowers bloom only when there is sufficient moisture, that is, most often - under water.In the same case, if you grow this plant outdoors, be sure to take care of its regular spraying.Alternantera: flower photo

Life cycle of Alternantera

Yes, the development cycle or the life cycle is exactly what you probably thought: the entire life of a plant from the moment the zygote is formed until the death of all its parts. There are plants with an annual, biennial and multi-year development cycle, but Alternantera is a plant that is almost always cultivated exclusively as an annual.

Soil for Alternantera

If you are going to grow Alternantera in a pot or outdoors, then you should know that this plant simply does not tolerate loamy soils and practically does not develop on them. It is also undesirable to choose soils that are poor in minerals and shaded places, because, as already mentioned, long daylight hours are an integral part of the life of Alternantera. It is also very important that the soil is loose enough so that oxygen can easily reach the roots. Also, the soil should not be excessively acidic. It is very harmful to Alternanter.

To grow a potted plant at home, you must also follow the rules. So, in order to create a soil mixture, it is best to use a greenhouse soil with an admixture of humus, peat and many other useful ingredients saturated with nutrients and minerals. Moreover, all these ingredients must be added to the soil mixture in equal amounts so that the soil is balanced and really useful.

Alternantera: flower photo

Watering Alternantera

Let's immediately exclude unnecessary and obvious questions: no, the Alternanter growing in an aquarium does not need additional watering for obvious reasons. However, the water still needs to be replaced, which we have repeatedly said in the descriptions of all kinds of this plant. Most often, a quarter of all aquarium water is replaced per week, but to be sure, you should check exactly what requirements your species makes. If the water is not replaced as often as the plant requires, then its growth can slow down significantly, or even stop altogether, which, of course, will not end well.

However, if you still grow Alternantera in soil, you must follow very strict rules for watering, because water and moisture are just as necessary for this plant as for us, people, for air. As soon as the top layer of the soil dries up, it must be immediately watered with warm water. And you will need to get used to frequent watering, because the soil will dry out quite quickly. However, in no case should you overdo it with water, because its excess will not only lead to a slowdown in development, but can also cause rot, which, in turn, will most likely lead to the death of the plant.

Lighting

This aspect of courting Alternantera is also very important, and it depends no less on how effectively Alternantera will grow and develop. Namely, the color of the leaves of the bush depends very much on it. Therefore, if you want to get a beautiful, and not just a living bush, you need to provide it with a twelve-hour sunny day and diffused lighting. If there is not enough light, you can resort to using special lamps that simulate all the radiation spectra formed by the sun. However, abuse of this technology can lead to the formation of burns on the surface of the foliage, so you need to be extremely careful with it.

Alternantera: flower photo

Diseases and pests Alternantera

If Alternantera is grown indoors, the greatest difficulties are brought by gray rot - one of the most common garden diseases to which almost any plant is susceptible.It appears due to waterlogging of the roots, so this factor of caring for the bush must be monitored very carefully. If it was not possible to avoid the disease, it is necessary to remove the affected parts and process them to prevent further spread of the infection. No less dangerous are pests that bring a huge amount of inconvenience. Among them, one can distinguish such as the whitefly, the spider mite and, of course, the aphid, which is a real horseman of the apocalypse for any grower.

Whitefly

This small insect loves to live on the back of plant leaves, and there it lays its eggs. The greatest danger to the plant is the larvae of this species, which leave marks on the leaves, because of which they begin to wither and wither. To find it, you don't have to look at the backs of the leaves under a microscope at all. You just need to shake the plant: if you see that small white midges fly up around right there, then there is no doubt that this is a whitefly. In order to prevent its appearance, it is necessary to ventilate the room, because the more humid, the more favorable the conditions for this parasite.

Aphid

This little insect is familiar to absolutely everyone, even if your activity is not related to gardening. These small, barely noticeable green bugs are very fond of terrorizing ornamental plants, and getting rid of them is not such an easy task. To overcome the attack of aphids, it is necessary to often treat the plant with soapy water. You can use other folk remedies, such as, for example, infusions of onions or garlic, because, after all, they do their job quite well. Of course, you can resort to using insecticides, but they are very toxic and can be bad for your health.

Spider mite

It will not be difficult to find this insect, because, as you might have guessed, on the surface of the plant it forms a huge amount of cobweb, which is very difficult not to notice. The methods of dealing with this dirty trick are absolutely the same as those that are used in order to get rid of annoying aphids: you just need to thoroughly treat the plant with soapy water, and, if this does not help, resort to a deadly weapon - insecticides.

However, they will be used in a room - a very dangerous activity, and therefore, before you spray your plant with chemicals, you need to take it to a well-ventilated balcony or, if you live in a private sector, to the street altogether. So you will prevent all the possible consequences of using such toxic substances.

If we are talking about pests that can pursue your plants in the aquarium, then these are your own pets. Yes, the fish are very fond of biting off small pieces of Alternantera leaves, which, of course, does not add to its decorative effect. And since the leaves of this plant are very delicate, you can rest assured that the fish will be able not only to bite them, but also to completely break them off. Therefore, if you want Alternantera to remain unharmed, it is necessary to competently select seafaring neighbors for her, who, even with a strong desire, will not be able to harm in any way even such a delicate bush with its fragile leaves.

Alternantera: flower photo

Planting and breeding Alternantera

Let's return to the question of the soil, because we never said what kind of soil to choose for the aquarium. Unfortunately, there is no correct answer to this question, because absolutely anyone can come up, depending on the personal preferences of a particular species or subspecies. However, the best solution would be to buy a ready-made mixture that has been specially prepared for underwater plants. However, even sand can be added to it. This will contribute to the more active development of the bush.

Reproduction Alternantera

Alternantera: flower photo

As soon as it comes to the reproduction of any plant, almost everyone immediately has seeds in their heads and planting them. And this is really one of the methods used for this plant. However, to be honest, it is nowhere near as effective as vegetative propagation, which involves growing a new individual from a detached part of the mother plant.

Nevertheless, it is worth giving the seed method its due, because, for example, in laboratories and in large industries, plants are propagated exclusively with the help of it. However, we simply do not have such equipment that would allow us to grow Alternanthera from seeds not only quickly, but also with a high percentage of germination. Therefore, we will not go deep into the implementation of this method and immediately proceed to vegetative reproduction.

The most popular and frequently used method is propagation by cuttings. It involves growing a full-fledged bush from a cuttings cut from the mother plant in advance. In order to grow it, you will need a temporary container, such as a small pot. You will also need to provide the cuttings with royal conditions, implying a very well-lit place and regular watering. However, direct sunlight is still vital to avoid. When planting, by the way, the cuttings should be deepened to the first leaf, but only if their length reaches ten centimeters. Before the appearance of the first new leaves, it is necessary to protect the stalk as much as possible, and therefore it is covered with a special film or glass. Also, the top of the cutting, when it enters the stage of active growth, will need to be pinched so that all the nutrients do not go to increase in height. After just two weeks of such care, the cutting will already have a more or less formed root system. If the roots are already strong enough, and winter is behind, it is quite possible to transplant the cuttings into open ground. If you want to see the most lush and beautiful bushes, you need to plant several cuttings together. If you want to grow Alternantera at home, then you will need to choose a pot that is suitable for her: it should be wide, but not too high.

And there is practically nothing to say about breeding in an aquarium. No matter how ridiculous and implausible it may sound, but the cut off stalk of Alternantera is simply enough to leave it floating on the surface of the water until it forms a root system. Then it can be simply taken and planted in the same substrate in which the mother plant grows. Perhaps no other plant, except those that reproduce by self-sowing, can boast of such a simple operation.

Using Alternantera in landscaping

Alternantera: flower photo

We hope, given all our colorful descriptions of various types of Alternantera, you no longer need to be convinced of how beautiful this plant is and how well it can serve as a decoration for your garden or aquarium. However, we will now talk specifically about the use of this colorful bush in the garden, where it becomes an excellent addition to almost any composition.

Due to the fact that this plant is not too tall in height, it can be called the real empress of all carpet flowers and shrubs. For the most part, this title is also ensured by the fact that it is very easy for Alternanter to cut her hair, giving it absolutely any desired shape. Thus, it is very often used to decorate low flower beds or borders. And there is no need to talk about flower drawings, because it is with the help of Alternantera that they are most often created. Especially considering that the bush can be shaped like an egg or a ball.

And, of course, we must not forget how much this plant transforms the bottom of reservoirs.Not only in aquariums, but also in small ponds and streams, it can be planted to emphasize the beauty of the site. So Alternantera is another reason to think about creating an artificial pond in your garden, which will definitely catch your eye.

Of course, this plant is best suited to create a kind of tropical surroundings in a reservoir. For example, with the help of Reinek's Alternantera, you will have no difficulty in turning an ordinary pond into a jungle, and an aquarium into impenetrable thickets, where fish will look like very outlandish birds without feathers. Also, don't forget how fast this plant grows, which provides you with tremendous opportunities to experiment with all kinds of styles and compositions. In the end, even if you don't like what you create in your pond, you can always cut the result and try again. Why is not your ideal plant for a landscape designer?

Most used types

Of course, not all types of Alternantera are used equally often and enjoy the same popularity. Most of them are much better than others, and some are completely unsuitable for decorating a garden or pond. But the view of Alternanter lilac definitely cannot be counted among the latter. If you read carefully, then you remember what decorative qualities it has, and why gardeners fell in love with it so much. It looks best, of course, in an aquarium, where neat bushes serve as excellent additions to the scenery of an abandoned civilization or a sunken ship.

Well, the second most popular species is the sedentary Alternantera, which is much more often used to decorate ponds than for aquariums. In the midst of summer, it is planted at the bottom of the reservoir or I decorate the walls with it. In any case, it turns out very beautifully and the pond will become mesmerizing not only with the beauty of the water itself, which, according to the proverbs, can be looked at forever, but also with the beautiful Alternanteras, mesmerizing with their multi-colored leaves and miniature white-pink flowers.

Conclusion

It is really not for nothing that Alternantera is considered one of the best plants not only for decorating aquariums, but also for gardens and ponds. After all, not every decorative culture can boast of such rapid and rapid growth, a stunning variety of all kinds of colors, as well as a variety of sizes and shapes. Simply put, when choosing an Alternantera for yourself, you need to try very hard so as not to find a species or variety that you don't like. Well, and then - the matter remains small: plant, water and care for your bush, and then it will definitely please its caring owner with bright and mesmerizing leaves. And we can only wish you good luck.

Alternantera: plant video