Helanthium 'Quadricostatus'

Helanthium ‘Quadricostatus’ from South America has characteristic light-green leaves 10-15 cm long which form a good contrast to the darker aquarium plants. It is most beautiful when planted in groups, each roset becoming 15-20 cm wide. In good conditions it produces runners which spread over the bottom. Very light leaves are a sign of a shortage of micro-nutrients. There is some confusion about the name of this plant, and it has been sold as Echinodorus bolivianus var. magdalenensis.

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.