Propagating Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides

(Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides)

By Joy Twentyman-Crock

I’ve grown Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides in my 2.5 gallon tank with a more success than I first realized.

The 2.5 gallon standard has a 26 Watt Power Compact shop light. I perform 50% water changes once per week. CO2 is supplemented using two 1 liter bottles to generate CO2 and a DIY inline CO2 reactor powered by a ViaAqua Powerhead 180. This provides CO2 levels above 60ppm. I dose 20ppm KNO3, 1ppm KH2PO4, 8ppm Flourish Potassium, and 1ml of Flourish Comprehensive three times per week.

Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides can be grown floating, like a stem plant, or forced to creep. In my tank I planted it like a stem plant. Since its growth is like that of a vine plant, it wound its way into and out of my other plants slowly multiplying. Since most of it was hidden in the other bushier plants, I had no idea how well it had multiplied until I started pulling plants out to do some major reaquascaping. To trim this plant I simply cut it and remove the excess length. To start new plants each node can be separated and planted forming a new plant.

One of the best things about this plant is when it pearls. Each leaf will collect and hold a single bubble of air at its center. This plant may be one ways that pearling gets its name, as the air bubble looks very similar to a pearl sitting on an open clam.

Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides is relatively undemanding plant that will provide an excellent highlight in any tank with good growing conditions. It will grow under lighting anywhere from low light to very high light, although in lower lighting conditions it will need to be floated to ensure it gets enough light.

Bibliography

PlantGeek.Net 2002-2006, Plant Guide [On-line] http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide.php, April 17, 2006