Echinodorus osiris

Scientific name: Echinodorus osiris

Family: Alismataceae

Usual maximum size in aquariums: 20 - 50 cm (7.87 - 19.69 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.5 - 7.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 21 - 27 °C (69.8 - 80.6°F)

Reproduction of the plant: Rhizome

Origin (in the wild): South America

How fast these plants grow: Fast

Recommended substrate: Fine gravel

Demands on lighting: Medium

Ideal placement in a fish tank: Middle

Common Name

Melon Sword

Origin

South America; these plants are found in Brazil.

Planting Area

Midground to Background. They make for a great centrepiece in smaller aquariums but make sure that they do not out grow very small aquariums.

Propagation

Although this is a rhizome plant, division of the rhizome is not the only way this plant can be propagated. They will also develop adventitious plants around the mother plant. To propagate these it is simply a matter of prying them free from the rosette of leaves and re-planting them in the substrate. Ensure that they get nutrients added straight away to encourage the new root growth.

Difficulty

Easy

Short Description

This plant seems to prefer the cooler end of the temperature range and will produce leaves with a reddish colour if kept this way. They make a great specimen plant for the aquarium but they do require plenty of room, as well as growing up wards, the rosette will spread outwards as well. They do require plenty of nutrients so when first planting add some root tabs to the substrate and as the plant matures use the root tabs on a regular basis.

They can be kept under lower lighting levels and still thrive, red leaves should still be produced which turn to a rich green on the edging as the leaf matures, growth will be slower though the lower level of lighting that is used.

If the colour of the leaves starts to fade this could mean low levels of iron in the water column and substrate, this can be easily remedied by using an iron based supplement plant additive on a regular basis if this is an ongoing problem.

Fish tend to leave this plant alone as they have a taste repellant to the fish, even herbivorous species of fish should not nibble at this plant.