Flowers growing underwater are always a problem because many aquatic plants require specific environmental conditions to flower and protect flowering. If you own an Anubias plant, you're probably in luck because this plant is hardy, keeps nitrate levels under management, and can even flower underwater!
Anubias sp.
The Anubias plant family is a large and numerous group of aquatic and semi-aquatic flowering plants and fern-like perennials native to Africa. Nowadays, they are commonly available at your local fish store and even online!
All hardy anubia species have transparent waxy leaves that are often shaped like arrows or spear tips. Leaves vary in color from dark green to black, bronze, pink-red and even light purple. There are about 82 species of Anubia with many subspecies, varieties and varieties.
Although many of these species are capable of surviving underwater, most anubia species bloom above water. To that end, hobbyists often play “strategy” on their plants to stimulate flowering underwater. Research to check further!
Anubias Flowers – Underwater Flowering Data
Can you induce your Anubia to flower? You are so lucky! This step-by-step data will guide you through the ways you can effectively get submerged plants to flower for the first time.
Step 1: Remove some leaves
The first step in the process involves removing all of your plant's leaves, except for about 5-6 leaves on each rhizome. That is done because it takes a lot of effort to make flowers bloom. The leaves, as one would expect, get one of the best out of this process because moreover they require a lot of energy.
To remove the leaves, simply tear them off by hand. They will fall off on their own and you should not be surprised if many leaf nodes come off during the process. Admits to leaving a wide variety of leaves behind for photosynthesis! As mentioned earlier, 5-6 leaves per rhizome are enough.
Step 2: Expose the rhizome
Next, you should expose the rhizomes by removing various substrates so that there are no rocks left to hide them underneath. During flower bud formation, the stem will grow upward and can be damaged if it comes into contact with something above or below the substrate.
We recommend using fluorite substrates, laterite substrates or purely eco-dirt substrates as these substrates are easy to remove without disturbing the roots too much. Using firmer substrates such as clear gravel or aquatic soil is probably not helpful as it will injure the rhizomes when you try to scoop them out in the process.
Step 3: Stop fertilizing
It may seem counterintuitive to stop fertilizing aquatic plants because you need them to bloom, but it's true. When plants have access to lower levels of nutrients, they put all their energy into flowering to ensure the survival of the species. For that reason you should stop all fertilization when stimulating flowering.
You can wean your plants off any liquid fertilizer or simply reduce the dosage if using a strong capsule fertilizer. The perfect plan of motion is to not fertilize your plant at all and let it endure the process on its own.
Step 4: Bleach the rhizomes
You should then bleach all the rhizomes, except one that is ready to become a flowering plant. Do your best to choose a node with at least 5-6 nodes from which you will propagate the new plant. Remove all the various rhizomes from the aquarium and bleach for 1 hour. That is done to sterilize the rhizomes in case any of them carry pathogens that you should not spread to your flowering plants.
Fish keepers often use a product commonly known as Clorox, which contains sodium hypochlorite. Create a solution of half bleach and 10 parts water, and soak the rhizomes for 1 hour. Then, rinse them until the water runs clear and place them in your aquarium along with the remaining unbleached rhizomes.
Step 5: Reduce the light again
Now that you have a variety of leaves left, it's time to cut the lights again. For flowers to bloom beautifully, there must be a clear distinction between day and night, as exists in nature.
Reduce the light again to about 0.5 watts per gallon (1 watt per 4 liters). If you are using a higher wattage than is typical for your aquarium, leave it in the sun longer and/or raise it closer to the leaves. Be cautious with this step as you don't need to burn the plant or lose leaves. Control your plants and if the leaves start to burn, take them out of the sun immediately!
Step 6: Reduce again above the water line
After several days of pruning back to your light schedule, you should make another change to help stimulate flowering. Flowering is formed in nature with sudden changes, so it is most interesting to successfully imitate this modification right here. Prevent any water circulation through the plants by ensuring no air bubbles enter the aquarium when your filter is on.
When you want to go completely hands-free with this process, simply disconnect the air hose running to your powerhead or air stone. Remember to modify the timer so your filter goes off at the same time as your lights. By blocking the circulation of water through Anubias, you are probably simulating a dry season, so the plant will do the rest to deliver the results you need!
Step 7: Personal impact
Stamina is essential for this entire process, so stay calm and don't anticipate something drastic happening in just one day. It will take several weeks to a month for your plant to flower, and there is no way to know what day that will happen. It's the same with many flowering plants, so don't be shocked if this happens.
As soon as your Anubias begins to put energy into its flower spike, it's important to leave it alone. It won't grow any taller and won't grow new leaves as soon as it starts flowering, so enjoy this strange sight and let nature take its course!
Completely different recommendations
Use mild water
One of the keys to successful underwater flowering is to have water that is very light and has no detectable KH or GH. That's because Anubias are truly aquatic and require water to reproduce and flower underwater.
Simulate seasonal modifications
When you have extremely low NO3 or PO4 readings in your tank, this can also help stimulate flowering as it simulates purely seasonal changes in nature. For motion, protect NO3 and PO4 at 0ppm and use an RO/DI unit to remove any traces of these components from your water.
Protects the ideal suitable water temperature
For the most enjoyable results, maintain the tank temperature between 77-82°F (25-28°C). Anubia is a tropical plant that flowers in hotter waters. Simulating these water conditions in your tank can send a signal to your plants to start flowering!
Conclusion
We hope this text has taught you everything you need to learn about underwater flowering with Anubias and that you will be able to successfully use this information for successful flowering of privets mine!
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Until next time, we wish you good luck and good fish farming!
