Degree of difficulty: Medium
Layout: Backscene
Lighting: Medium
Temperature: 17-28 ° C
Water Hardness: Soft – Hard
PH: 5-8
Tree Structure: Body length
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Alternanthera
Region: Central America and South America
Height: 20-30 cm
Width: 10-15 cm
Speed Development: Medium
Grows on the water: Can
There are 170 species in the genus Alternanthera be determined. Alternanthera reineckii were first imported to the Netherlands in 1965 under the name “Telenthera osiris” is one of the few species can grow underwater. This plant grows along the river periodically floods during the rainy season. Kasselmann described 5 types of this plant. Alternanthera reineckii ‘roseafolia’ (other known as alternanthera reineckii ‘Pink’) is the most easily grown species and common in the trade.
Although alternanthera reineckii ‘rosaefolia’ can grow in low light levels and do not need to provide CO2, but if so it does not achieve its true potential. Medium to high light (2-4W per gallon) and CO2 enhanced environment is ideal. If kept in low light lake, beneath the leaves tend to decrease. Plants can grow in hard water and soft water, although slightly soft and slightly acid are ideal.
Propagated by budding trees and replanted into the ground. This also makes the mother plant more bushy because grows more branches.
Purple leaf underside alternanthera reineckii ‘roseafolia’ create contrasts effectively with other trees in the lake when planted in groups. 3 to 5 plants can be grown in the background to emphasize the shape of green tree. Although uncommon in the natural style pool, but this is a red tree common in Dutch-style pool.