Echinodorus bleheri (sword)

Echinodorus bleheri (sword) plants are very common in the aquarium hobby, considering that they grow tall with an exquisite bright green coloration, but are easy to care for. They are ideal plants in the midground of a large aquarium or the background of an aquascape on a medium sized aquarium. The leaves grow short stems with pointed tops in rosette shaped endings. 

This plant can grow very tall, which is why it's ideal for larger aquariums. It will need to be pruned and trimmed to allow for other plants around it to receive proper lighting and to avoid crowding other surrounding livestock. This species propagates through side shoots off of its leaves, which can be trimmed and replanted into the substrate. To keep your Echinodorus sword plant in a controlled and tidy growth you can remove the side shoots and older leaves.

If provided with a nutrient rich substrate this plant will be able to grow in most undemanding lighting conditions, but in general, a moderate to high lighting is ideal for a fast growth. CO2 is not necessary but can help the plant grow faster too. If grown emersed, it will produce charming white flowers.

Tissue culture plants are grown in-vitro (literally: in the glass) in a nutrient-rich synthetic growing medium, either liquid or gel, without the presence of any other lifeforms. This guarantees a pest and disease-free specimen, while also providing accuracy throughout the trade.

Tissue culture plants should be removed from the cup as soon as possible. All plants grow on some sort of synthetic growing medium, ranging anywhere from liquid to jelly to firm gel. This should be removed and rinsed off. Gently massage the roots between your fingers until the gel dissolves away. Most plants can be broken up into smaller pieces and spread out in your aquarium. Smaller pieces are easier to plant.