Staurogyne repens – ADA Tissue Culture

Staurogyne repens is a highly sought-after foreground plant in aquascaping due to its compact, low-growing nature and bright green leaves. It’s a versatile plant perfect for creating lush carpets or dense bushy patches in aquascapes. Known for its hardiness, Staurogyne repens adapts well to a wide range of aquarium conditions, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced aquascapers. This species thrives in various environments, from low-tech tanks with minimal CO2 to high-tech setups with intense lighting and CO2 injection.

This product is packaged in ADA Tissue Culture, ensuring it is pest-free, algae-free, and guaranteed to arrive in pristine condition. Tissue culture plants are grown in sterile environments and are an excellent way to introduce new plants to your aquarium without introducing unwanted hitchhikers or contaminants.

Detailed Care Guide:

Tank Requirements:

• Lighting: Moderate to high lighting is recommended for optimal growth of Staurogyne repens. In lower light conditions, the plant will grow more slowly and less compact, while higher light encourages denser, bushier growth.
• Substrate: A nutrient-rich substrate is essential for the best results. While this plant can grow in regular gravel, it performs significantly better in substrates designed for planted aquariums, such as aquasoil. Root tabs can also be used to provide nutrients if you’re using a less nutrient-dense substrate.
• CO2: While CO2 injection isn’t mandatory, it is highly recommended. With CO2, the plant will grow faster, maintain a more compact form, and develop vibrant green coloration. It can survive without CO2 in low-tech tanks, but growth will be slower.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 68°F – 82°F (20°C – 28°C)
  • pH: 6.0 – 7.5
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (3 – 10 dGH)

Tissue Culture Preparation and Planting:

1. Opening the Tissue Culture:
   • Open the ADA Tissue Culture container carefully. Inside, you’ll find Staurogyne repens growing in a sterile gel medium.
2. Rinsing the Plant:
   • Remove the plant from the container and rinse off the nutrient gel under clean, lukewarm water. Make sure all the gel is removed to prevent it from contaminating your aquarium water.
3. Dividing the Plant:
   • Staurogyne repens from tissue cultures can be divided into smaller portions for planting. Gently pull apart the plant into small clusters, each with roots and shoots. This will give you multiple portions that you can plant throughout your aquascape.
4. Planting:
   • Use aquascaping tweezers to plant the individual clusters of Staurogyne repens into the substrate. Plant each portion deep enough to cover the roots but ensure the stem is not buried.
   • Space the clusters a few centimeters apart to allow room for growth, and over time, they will spread and form a carpet or dense bushy patches, depending on your design.

Growth and Maintenance:

• Growth Rate: With moderate to high lighting and CO2, Staurogyne repens will grow at a steady pace. It will form a low-growing carpet if planted in the foreground, or it can be allowed to grow into a bushy, mid-ground feature with proper trimming.
• Trimming: Regular trimming is encouraged to maintain a dense and compact growth habit. Pinching off the top growth will encourage the plant to spread horizontally and branch out, creating a thicker and more uniform carpet.
• Fertilization: This plant benefits from regular dosing of liquid fertilizers, especially those containing micronutrients like iron. It is a heavy root feeder, so adding root tabs to the substrate can also support healthy growth.

Special Notes:

• Compatibility: Staurogyne repens is compatible with most aquarium setups, including community tanks and shrimp tanks. It provides excellent cover for smaller fish and shrimp and can also help prevent algae by taking up nutrients in the water.
• Propagation: This plant can be easily propagated by trimming the stems and replanting the cuttings. The cuttings will quickly develop roots and establish themselves in the substrate.

Summary:

Staurogyne repens is a versatile and hardy foreground plant that can thrive in various conditions, making it perfect for both beginner and advanced aquascapers. Its compact and bushy growth habit adds a lush green texture to the foreground of planted aquariums. Packaged in an ADA Tissue Culture, this plant is guaranteed to be free from pests and contaminants, ensuring a healthy start in your aquarium.

By following the proper preparation and planting steps for tissue culture plants, you can easily introduce Staurogyne repens into your aquascape, where it will spread and flourish with moderate lighting, CO2 injection, and a nutrient-rich substrate. Whether you want a thick carpet of greenery or a mid-ground bush, Staurogyne repens is a beautiful and versatile choice for any aquascape.