Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’ – ADA Tissue Culture

Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’ is a charming and highly desirable aquarium plant, known for its compact growth and beautiful clover-shaped leaves. This plant is perfect for adding intricate details to your aquascape, either as a foreground cover or for accenting hardscape elements such as rocks and driftwood. Unlike its larger variant, the ‘Mini’ variety grows more densely and remains smaller, creating a lush and refined appearance in the aquarium.

Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’ is versatile and easy to maintain, making it a great option for aquascapers of all levels. The plant is provided in an ADA Tissue Culture, ensuring that it is free from pests, algae, and other contaminants, offering a healthy start for your aquascaping journey.

Detailed Care Guide:

Tank Requirements:

• Lighting: Medium to high lighting is recommended for Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’. Higher light intensity encourages compact, dense growth and faster spreading. In lower light conditions, the plant may grow more leggy and spread slower.
• Substrate: While the plant doesn’t require a nutrient-rich substrate, it benefits greatly from root fertilization. Using root tabs or nutrient-rich substrate will promote healthy growth and fast spreading.
• CO2: CO2 injection is highly recommended for this plant. With CO2, the plant will spread more quickly and exhibit more compact growth. It can survive without CO2 but will grow slower and may not form a dense carpet.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 68°F – 82°F (20°C – 28°C)
  • pH: 6.0 – 7.5
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (2 – 12 dGH)

Tissue Culture Preparation and Planting:

1. Opening the Tissue Culture: Carefully open the ADA Tissue Culture container. The plant is cultivated in a nutrient-rich gel that protects it during transportation and storage.
2. Rinsing the Plant: Remove the plant from the container and gently rinse it under lukewarm water to remove all the gel. Be thorough, as any leftover gel can cause issues in the aquarium.
3. Dividing the Plant: After rinsing, divide the plant into small portions. Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’ grows as small bunches, and separating it into smaller sections will encourage faster establishment in the aquarium.
4. Planting: Using aquascaping tweezers, plant the small portions into the substrate, spreading them out to cover the desired area. Ensure that the roots are firmly anchored, while the leaves remain exposed above the substrate. The plant can also be attached to hardscape elements like driftwood or rocks if desired.
5. Initial Care: After planting, reduce the photoperiod for the first week to prevent algae growth while the plant establishes itself. Gradually increase lighting duration once the plant begins to grow and spread.

Maintenance:

• Trimming: Regular trimming encourages more compact growth and prevents the plant from becoming too leggy. Trim the tops of the plant regularly to maintain a neat appearance. Trimmings can be replanted elsewhere to propagate new growth.
• Fertilization: To keep Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’ healthy, dosing liquid fertilizers containing macro and micronutrients is essential. Supplement with root tabs or a nutrient-rich substrate to encourage vigorous growth, especially in high-tech setups.
• Water Changes: Performing regular water changes (20-30% weekly) helps maintain water quality, prevent nutrient imbalances, and reduce algae growth, especially in high-light setups.

Growth and Propagation:

Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’ propagates through runners. As the plant grows, it sends out horizontal shoots (stolons) that root into the substrate, allowing it to spread and form a carpet. You can propagate the plant by trimming these runners and replanting them in other areas of the aquarium.

Ideal Tank Setup:

Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’ is highly versatile and works beautifully in various aquascape styles. It is ideal as a foreground plant for Iwagumi-style aquariums, nature aquariums, or Dutch-style aquascapes. It can also be used to create a climbing effect on rocks or driftwood. In nano aquariums, it serves as a striking and delicate carpet plant.

Summary:

Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’ is a beautiful, compact plant that brings a touch of elegance to any aquascape. With its delicate, clover-like leaves, it adds texture and detail to both foregrounds and hardscapes. The ADA Tissue Culture provides a pest-free and healthy start, ensuring a successful aquascaping experience. Suitable for both beginners and experienced aquascapers, this versatile plant thrives under high light and CO2 injection, forming a lush, dense carpet in no time.

Transform your aquascape with the delicate beauty of Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’ and watch it flourish into a lush carpet of vibrant green.