Aponogeton Boivinianus

Aponogeton Boivinianus

The Aponogeton Boivinianus is a strong and large bulbous plant, native to the flowing waters of Madagascar.

Young leaves are light green, sometimes brown in colour. As the leaves get older they will change colour to a darker green. The leaves have a bumpy, waffle-like structure. Under the right conditions this plant will grow quickly. The leaf stems can reach a length of more than 20cm, the leaves themselves can grow up to 80cm long and the plant sometimes spreads to a width of about 50cm. A large (and high) aquarium with good water flow is therefore a requirement to let the Aponogeton Boivinianus come into its own. As far as lighting is concerned, the Aponogeton Boivinianus is not demanding, only during the resting period this plant does not like to be in the light.

The bulb of the plant has a diameter of approximately 3cm, this should be placed (carefully) for a maximum of 1/3 in the (nutrient) soil, so that the part where the plant grows from protrudes above the (nutrient) soil. This is to prevent the bulb from rotting. If you only have (fine) gravel or sand, we recommend that you place plant nutrition in tablet form, under the Aponogeton Boivinianus, in the soil.

When planting, consider the (future) size of the Aponogeton Boivinianus. Provide a place where there is enough space to let the plant grow solitary.

The Aponogeton Boivinianus is an easy plant, CO2 is not a requirement, adding plant food will make this plant stronger and stimulate possible flowering.

When the plant starts to flower, it will grow a stem from the bulb towards the water surface. There, the stem splits into two flower stalks. When these have finished flowering, the seeds are released. You can remove these seeds from the aquarium to grow a new plant.

The plant species 'Aponogeton' is a plant that has a rest period every now and then. Growth will come to a standstill and the plant can lose its leaves. It is good for the plant to dim the light during this period. There are people who temporarily place the plant in another aquarium, without lighting, but because the plant does not like to be moved, you can better choose to add (extra) floating plants to the aquarium to create more shade. When the plant has 'rested', growth will continue again.

Location of this aquarium plant: middle & back zone
Max height of the plant: 60 cm
Temperature: 16-32ºC
pH: 6.0-8.0
KH: 7-21
Light: normal to high (little during rest period)
Origin: Madagascar, Africa