Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' - ADA TC

Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' - ADA Tissue Culture

Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' is a striking aquatic stem plant known for its vibrant pink to red coloration when grown under the right conditions. Its leaves are small and rounded, providing a delicate texture and bold color to any aquascape. The 'Hra' variety is particularly favored for its ability to add vibrant red tones, especially when exposed to intense light and supplemented with CO2.

This product is packaged in ADA Tissue Culture, ensuring it is free of pests, algae, and harmful pathogens. Tissue culture plants are grown in sterile environments, offering a fresh, healthy start to your aquarium.

Detailed Care Guide:

Tank Requirements:

• Lighting: Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' thrives in medium to high light. Under high light (50+ PAR), the plant's vibrant pink to red hues will be more pronounced. Lower light levels will result in slower growth and less vibrant colors, typically a green or yellowish tint.

• CO2: CO2 injection is highly recommended for Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' to achieve compact growth and vibrant red coloration. While it can grow without CO2, it will likely remain green and grow more slowly.

• Substrate: A nutrient-rich substrate is recommended for best results. Alternatively, you can supplement with root tabs to ensure the plant has access to sufficient nutrients at the roots.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 68°F – 82°F (20°C – 28°C)
  • pH: 5.5 – 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (2 – 10 dGH)

Tissue Culture Preparation and Planting:

1. Opening the Tissue Culture:

   • Carefully open the ADA Tissue Culture cup containing Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra'. The plant will be submerged in a nutrient gel medium that needs to be removed before planting.

2. Rinsing the Plant:

   • Remove the plant from the container and rinse off the gel completely using clean, lukewarm water. It's important to remove all traces of the gel, as it can degrade water quality if left in the tank.

3. Dividing the Plant:

   • Once cleaned, divide the plant into smaller portions. Tissue cultures often contain many small plantlets that can be separated for more extensive planting. Each clump will contain several stems.

4. Planting:

   • Use aquascaping tweezers to plant the individual stems in the substrate. Space them a few centimeters apart to allow for lateral growth and bushy development. Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' is typically planted in the midground or background depending on your aquascape design.

Growth and Maintenance:

• Growth Rate: Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' grows quickly in high-tech setups with CO2 injection and strong lighting. Without CO2, it will grow slower and stay more green.

• Trimming: Regular trimming is essential to maintain the plant's bushy and compact shape. When trimmed, the plant will branch out more, creating a denser appearance. You can replant the trimmings for propagation.

• Fertilization: A balanced liquid fertilizer is recommended, especially with an emphasis on micronutrients like iron. Iron is particularly important for enhancing the plant's red coloration.

Special Notes:

• Coloration: In high light and with adequate CO2, Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' will turn shades of pink, orange, and red. Without enough light or CO2, the plant will stay predominantly green.

• Placement: Ideal for midground or background placement in aquascapes. When densely planted, it creates a beautiful "red bush" effect, enhancing contrast with surrounding greenery.

• Compatibility: Suitable for all types of aquariums, including shrimp tanks and community tanks. Safe for invertebrates and fish.

Challenges:

• Lighting and CO2: While Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' can survive in low-tech tanks, it truly thrives and displays its best colors under high light and with CO2. Without CO2, expect slower growth and less vibrant coloration.

Summary:

Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' is a stunning and fast-growing stem plant that adds a splash of vibrant pink to red hues in any aquarium. It’s highly appreciated by aquascapers for its compact growth and ability to create a striking contrast against green plants. Ideal for midground or background placement, this versatile plant grows well under medium to high light and benefits greatly from CO2 supplementation.

This plant is packaged in ADA Tissue Culture, ensuring that it arrives at your tank in the healthiest and cleanest condition. By properly preparing the tissue culture and providing the right lighting and CO2 conditions, you will enjoy the vibrant colors and lush growth of Rotala Rotundifolia 'Hra' in your aquascape.