Ammania is very popular among aquarists, as it serves as a spectacular decoration for aquariums. It belongs to the Derbennikovye family and is found in the natural environment in water bodies and in western Africa, especially in the Gambia and Senegal. The plant feels great in rice fields, wetlands or coastal areas.
Main characteristics
Ammania is a perennial herb with a powerful rhizome. A fleshy, straight stem without branches grows up to 60 cm in height. It is densely covered with sessile leaves, which are arranged crosswise, 4 pieces per whorl. Lanceolate foliage with a raised central vein grows 2-6 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. Its color is very diverse, you can find specimens with olive-green or reddish-brown leaves. The inflorescence consists of 6-7 light purple buds. After pollination, rounded achenes with two nests appear in their place.
Plant species
Ammania is quite diverse, it includes 24 species. Of these, only a few are suitable for designing an aquarium. But they are enough to create interesting compositions. Most common Ammania Graceful (Gracilis). It grows on flooded soil, but the top of the stem is located on the surface. It is distinguished by the color of the leaves. Underwater stems and leaves acquire a brown or burgundy hue, and the upper leaves remain green-olive. The back side of the leaf plate is darker, purple. Such a plant should be placed in large aquariums, where about 100 liters of water will fall on one bush of 5-7 stems. And even there, it branches and grows, requiring periodic pruning.
Similar to previous version Ammania Senegalese. Its stem grows 40 cm in height. The plant does not develop so actively and is covered with delicate leaves. The foliage is much more elongated (2-6 cm) and narrowed (8-13 mm). The loose inflorescence consists of 1-3 buds.
For small tanks, breeders specially bred Ammania Bonsai. It is much smaller and grows very slowly. The height of the adult specimen is 15 cm. A thick elastic stem covers many small round-shaped leaves. The diameter of the leaf does not exceed 1 cm, and the width of the entire branch is 1.5 cm. With a lack of lighting, bright green leaves turn red.
Another popular but more tender variety is Ammania Multiflora. It is distinguished by its large size and wide leaves with a bright lemon color. From more intense lighting, the foliage becomes reddish. In the aquarium, this variety reaches a height of 30 cm, and in summer produces surface shoots with small flowers of pink and purple flowers.
The most elegant and attractive, although very demanding, is considered Ammania Sulawesi. This short, slowly growing inhabitant of the aquarium has a bright pink and even purple color of the leaves. The sides of the leaves are slightly curled along the central axis, and the edges are turned down. The leaves themselves are elongated and rounded. The shoot itself has a fleshy structure and a delicate green color.
Cultivation and care
Since the homeland of the plant is the tropics, it needs quite warm water and bright lighting. The optimum temperature is 22-28 ° C, and the brightness of the lighting is from 0.5 watts. The daylight hours should be at least 12 hours. From a lack of light, the lower foliage darkens and falls, so it is recommended to use additional lighting with incandescent lamps. The main parameters of water:
- hardness: 2-11 °;
- acidity from 6.5 to 7.5.
Iron-rich gravel and sand are used as soil. In order for the shoots to develop well, carbon dioxide replenishment will be required.
Ammania is propagated by cuttings and seeds. The first method is most convenient for beginner aquarists. It is enough to break off an apex of a length of 5 cm from an adult plant and plant it in fertile silty soil. The rooting process takes a lot of time and during this period you should not bother Ammania. It is important to consider that pruned stems also stop growing.
In general, ammonia requires quite reverent treatment and strict adherence to all parameters, so it will not be easy for beginners to deal with it. Under any adverse conditions in the aquarium, it begins to hurt first or die. But if successful, the plant becomes a real highlight of the reservoir.
