Echinodorus ganrdiflorus differ from other amazon swords in the following aspects:
- Stem – long
- Leaf form/shape – round
- Leaf size – large
- Leaf colouration – Green
- Height – 50cm + (20” +) regular pruning can keep them this small
Amazon swords – are mostly great accent plants that propagate through side shoots that can grow out of the water. They are a good beginner’s plant because their needs are so clearly described and if adhered to they will thrive.
What is this needs?
- Nutrient rich soil or regular root tabs
- MUST remove the cotton from the plant before planting
- Moderate lighting
- Stable water conditions
- Limit any copper based medication as far as possible (some ICH meds use copper as active ingredient)
- CO2 is not essential but good idea in high lighting aquariums
NOTE – They form massive root systems and this can cause other plants to suffer. An easy way to prevent this is to plant them in a reasonable size (IE 15cm – 6”) flat tray/pot, filled with good quality aqua soil, that you can burry in your substrate to hide it.
pH: 5.5-8.0
Care: Easy
Light: Moderate
Co2: Not necessary
Propagation: Adventitious shoots
Growth rate: Fast