Staurogyne repens ‘Variegated’ – ADA Tissue Culture

The Staurogyne repens ‘Variegated’ is a stunning variant of the popular foreground plant Staurogyne repens, known for its compact growth and bright green foliage. The ‘Variegated’ form features beautiful white or light green streaks and patches on its leaves, giving it a unique and eye-catching appearance in the aquascape. Its hardy nature and slow growth make it a great choice for aquascaping, whether you are creating a high-tech or low-tech setup. This variety will add texture and contrast to the foreground or midground of your aquarium.

This plant is packaged in an ADA Tissue Culture, ensuring that it is free from pests, algae, and contaminants. Tissue culture plants are grown in a sterile environment, making them a safe and clean choice for your aquarium.

Detailed Care Guide:

Tank Requirements:

• Lighting: Moderate to high lighting is ideal for Staurogyne repens ‘Variegated’. It will thrive and maintain its vibrant colors under bright light, but can also adapt to lower light levels with slower growth and fewer variegations.
• Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate is recommended for Staurogyne repens ‘Variegated’ to promote healthy growth. Aquasoil or similar substrates work best, but root tabs can also be used to provide additional nutrients.
• CO2: While not absolutely necessary, CO2 injection is highly recommended for better growth and to enhance the variegation and vibrancy of the plant. With CO2, the plant will grow more compact and develop denser, bushier growth.
• 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:
   • Carefully open the ADA Tissue Culture container. Inside, you will find Staurogyne repens ‘Variegated’ growing in a nutrient gel.
2. Rinsing the Plant:
   • Remove the plant from the container and gently rinse off the nutrient gel under lukewarm water. Ensure that all the gel is washed off to prevent it from polluting your aquarium water.
3. Dividing the Plant:
   • Staurogyne repens ‘Variegated’ from tissue cultures can be divided into smaller portions. Look for natural separations in the plant mass and divide them into several plantlets, each with roots and leaves.
4. Planting:
   • Using aquascaping tweezers, plant the individual plantlets into the substrate, ensuring the roots are buried but the base of the stems is exposed. Staurogyne repens grows best when planted in small clusters in the foreground or midground of the aquarium.
   • Space the plantlets slightly apart to allow room for growth and encourage spreading.

Growth and Maintenance:

• Growth Rate: Staurogyne repens ‘Variegated’ grows moderately fast under optimal conditions with good light and CO2. In lower-light setups, growth will be slower but still manageable.
• Trimming: To maintain a compact, bushy growth habit, regular trimming is recommended. Pinching or cutting off the top shoots encourages the plant to branch out and spread horizontally, creating a dense carpet or bush-like appearance.
• Fertilization: This plant will benefit from regular dosing of liquid fertilizers, particularly those containing micronutrients such as iron. If grown in nutrient-poor substrates, root tabs can be added near the plant’s base to supply necessary nutrients.
• Replanting Cuttings: Cuttings from trimming can be replanted to propagate the plant further and create thicker foreground carpets.

Special Notes:

• Variegation Maintenance: To maintain the beautiful variegated appearance, ensure that the plant receives sufficient light and nutrients. The white or light green markings on the leaves may fade in low-light or nutrient-deficient conditions, so be mindful of the lighting and fertilization.

Summary:

Staurogyne repens ‘Variegated’ is a beautiful and unique variant of the popular aquarium plant that adds texture, contrast, and vibrancy to your aquascape. Its attractive variegated leaves with streaks of white or light green make it a standout foreground or midground plant in any aquarium setup.

This plant is packaged in ADA Tissue Culture, ensuring a clean and healthy addition to your aquarium. By following the steps for tissue culture preparation, you can introduce this lovely plant to your tank with ease. Once planted, it will thrive in nutrient-rich substrates with moderate to high lighting, offering a lush and dense carpet that enhances the overall aesthetic of your aquascape.

Whether you’re a seasoned aquascaper or just starting out, Staurogyne repens ‘Variegated’ will make a stunning and hardy addition to your tank.