1. Introduction
Child: Professor, have you ever read Oscar Wilde’s “The Selfish Giant”? Remember the beautiful garden where flowers bloom all year round? I wish I could create a similar underwater garden in an aquarium. Can you please tell me about water orchids and how they can be used to create such a mesmerizing aquatic environment?
Professor: Ah, I see you wish to add a touch of artistic elegance to your aquarium! Water orchids, also known as Ludwigia inclinata, are delightful aquatic plants perfect for achieving an enchanting underwater garden much like The Selfish Giant’s paradise. In this conversation, we’ll discuss their characteristics, cultivation, precautions, and summarize the allure of these captivating plants.
2. Characteristics
Child: Professor, could you describe the appearance of water orchids? Are they as graceful as the willow trees in Van Gogh’s painting “Wheat Field with Cypresses”?
Professor: Great analogy, dear child! Water orchids bear a certain resemblance to willow trees with their delicate, whorled leaves that spiral elegantly along slender stems. The leaves typically showcase enchanting hues of red, orange, and green, depending on the lighting and the nutrients they receive.
As for their use in aquarium layouts, water orchids can create a striking focal point when placed in the mid-ground or background of small to medium-sized aquariums. In larger tanks, they thrive best when planted densely in groups, creating an underwater forest-like scene.
Child: Will they dance like Degas’ ballerinas when I watch them sway in the aquarium?
Professor: (Chuckles) Though not quite as sprightly as Degas’ ballerinas, water orchids do exhibit a gentle, mesmerizing sway under the influence of water movements in your aquarium.
3. Cultivation
Child: I remember Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, where Victor tries to create life using complicated scientific methods. Is cultivating water orchids as challenging as creating the monster in Frankenstein?
Professor: Fear not, my literary-minded friend! While cultivating water orchids may be somewhat challenging, they’re not as intimidating as Victor’s endeavors. The difficulty level primarily depends on factors such as lighting, CO2, pH, GH, kH, temperature, substrate, and nutrients.
To ensure success, provide these aquatic beauties with high-intensity lighting to bring out their vibrant colors. As a healthy CO2 supply is essential, maintain a CO2 level of around 30 ppm. Water orchids prefer a neutral to slightly acidic pH of 6.5-7.5, with a GH and kH between 3-8 dH. The ideal temperature ranges from 22-26°C (72-79°F).
For the substrate, use nutrient-rich bottom sand to encourage lush growth. Supplement the nutrients by adding liquid fertilizers containing micronutrients and macronutrients. Water orchids can propagate both underwater and above water through stem cuttings or side shoots.
Child: So no need for lightning strikes and galvanic reactions in the dead of the night?
Professor: (Laughs) Not at all. A little patience, care, and knowledge of their specific needs shall suffice to cultivate thriving water orchid plants in your aquatic paradise.
4. Precautions
Child: In the Jungle Book, the King Louie warns that the jungle is not a place for men. Are there any precautions I must heed when cultivating water orchids and allowing them to coexist with aquatic creatures?
Professor: Absolutely. When introducing water orchids to your aquarium, it’s essential to maintain a balance between the plant’s needs and the well-being of your aquatic inhabitants.
Avoid overcrowding your aquarium, which can limit the plants’ ability to grow and compete for resources. Also, be mindful of the fish species you add to the tank, as some herbivorous fish may feast on the water orchids.
Lastly, keep a close eye on the water parameters, particularly the CO2 levels, as an excessive supply could harm your fish.
5. Summary
Child: So, Professor, if I understand it all, water orchids are like the enchanted beings of an underwater fairy tale!
Professor: Quite right! Water Orchids are unique and captivating aquatic plants ideal for creating a visually stunning and artistic aquarium landscape. By understanding their characteristics, mastering their cultivation techniques, and taking necessary precautions, you can create an enthralling underwater garden, reminiscent of the Selfish Giant’s or a scene painted by masters such as Van Gogh and Degas. So, go forth and let your aquarium make a statement that would make Wilde, Shelley, and Kipling proud!