Pogostemon erectus is an algae of the Lamiaceae family that has gained popularity among aquarists around the world. This species is native to India and looks like a lush and colorful tropical conifer. Only in miniature - approximately 40 cm in height and 15 in width. A forest of such bright green “Christmas trees” in an aquarium or paludarium is not only beautiful in itself, but will also become an excellent environment for fish.
Appearance
It has 8 leaflets in a whorl of a very elongated shape - approximately 4x1 mm. The shoots are erect, the color is green with a slight purple tint. It grows at an average speed, is unpretentious in terms of fertilizers, but does not tolerate muddy water well. Looks great in the background of a man-made underwater landscape or in its center, as a spectacular decoration for its inhabitants. Forms bright and attractive combinations with red and purple aquatic grasses.
Photo gallery of Pogostemon Erectus:
Conditions of detention
Pogostemon erecta loves warm, well-lit ponds with clean water. The optimal conditions for its maintenance are listed in the following table.
| Conditions for keeping Pogostemon erectus | |
| Indicators | Indicator values |
| Soil thickness, cm | 6-7 |
| Lighting intensity, W/l | 0,7-1,0 |
| Carbon dioxide supply, mg/l | 8-12 |
| Water temperature, ◦С | 20-28 |
| Rigidity | Up to 20 |
| Acidity | 5,5-6,0 |
| Water change | Weekly up to 30% of volume |
Pogostemon erecta is a light-loving plant that should be planted in open, well-lit areas of the ground. As the emerald herringbone grows, it is necessary to ensure that it is not shaded by other plants.
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Mr. Tail Recommends: Aquarium Basics
Keeping Pogostemon Erectus in an aquarium is extremely simple and hassle-free. It grows at high speed in well-lit spaces without shade from other algae. In the twilight, as a rule, he stretches out and looks downright shabby. Daylight hours for this native of the Indian tropics should be 10-12 hours, not without the help of special lamps. It is better to cut it once every two weeks, giving the young stems access to light. When pruned, the bush actively produces lateral branches, forming dense thickets.
Loves soft water enriched with carbon dioxide, approximately from 5 to 12 mg/l (preferably closer to 12).
Optimum temperature – +20 °C, pH – from 5.0 to 7.5.
A layer of soil - ideally, fine quartz or pebbles, will require at least 5 or 7 cm. The bush has a powerful root system.
The water needs to be changed regularly, by one third approximately once a week. He prefers nitrogen fertilizers; when they are used, he becomes more luxuriant and brighter.
Features of keeping in an aquarium
When creating housing conditions, you need to remember that Pogostemon erectus loves light. Therefore, in addition to providing lighting, you need to ensure that it is not shaded by other plants.
Water
As already mentioned, Pogostemon erecta loves slightly brackish water. At the same time, it must always be clean, i.e. filter regularly.
Water parameters:
- Carbon dioxide rate - from 8 to 12 mg/l
- Temperature - from 20 to 30ºС
- Hardness - dH 6-20°
- pH — 5,5-7,5
- Water change scheme - Weekly one third of the volume
Did you know? The world's largest salt water aquarium is located in Berlin, in the courtyard of the Radisson Hotel. It is built in the form of a cylinder with a height of 16 m, a diameter of 11.5 m and a volume of 1,000,000 liters. It is home to more than 1,500 fish of about 100 species. And it's called AquaDom.
Priming
The branched root system of the plant requires a thick layer of soil (5-7 cm), consisting of quartz sand (white sand) or fine gravel, and a mixture of both is also possible.
Lighting
Pogostemon erectus grows well and pleases with its aesthetics only in bright light conditions. He can't stand the shadow. In addition to the fact that the leaves-needles turn pale with a lack of light, the bush itself also stretches out and ceases to be fluffy.
Lighting mode:
- Daylight hours : 10-12 hours
- brightness : from 0.7 to 1.0 W/l
It will be useful for you to learn how to install a lamp in an aquarium.
Compatibility
Pogostemon is a plant absolutely harmless to the inhabitants of the aquatic ecosystem. Rather, he himself is food for many aquarium fish and shellfish and is at great risk by being in the same aquatic environment with them. Thus, the thickets can be completely eaten by Clarius catfish, guppies, platies or barbs, as well as most varieties of snails.
Goldfish, shrimp, neons, predatory catfish and tetras are compatible with Pogostemon. They have a different diet, so the mouth will remain alive and thick.
Maintenance and care
Maintaining pogostemon erectures will not cause much trouble. The main requirement is good lighting and no shadow from other plants. The water should be brackish. For normal growth and reproduction, water must meet the following requirements:
- temperature - from 20 to 30 °C;
- carbon dioxide level - from 8 to 12 mg/l;
- hardness - from 6 to 20°;
- pH - from 5.5 to 7.5.
The water needs to be replaced periodically. It is optimal to change a third of the fluid once a week. The plant has a branched root system. The soil layer should be about 5-7 cm and consist of fine gravel or white sand.
You need to change a third of the water in the aquarium every week.
Pogostemon erectus requires good lighting. Due to lack of light, the leaves may turn pale and the algae itself may become less fluffy. For normal growth, daylight hours should be at least 10-12 hours a day. In this case, you can use lamps with a brightness of 0.7 to 1.0 W/l.
Caring for a plant involves performing the following actions:
- periodic water changes;
- feeding;
- haircut to maintain decorative properties;
- organization of necessary lighting.
To maintain the aesthetics of the algae, you should periodically cut off a third of the top. Thus, the pogostemon will form more side shoots, and the bush will look more lush.
To maintain the aesthetics of the algae, you should periodically cut off a third of the top.
Normal plant growth is only possible if there is a supply of carbon dioxide in the aquarium. In addition to periodically changing the water, the container should have a good filter. In dirty water, a coating of mucus begins to appear on the bushes, which impedes normal growth and can soon lead to the death of the plant.
To speed up growth and improve color, it is recommended to periodically feed the algae. To do this, you can use fertilizers that contain liquid nitrogen. If the plant does not receive the necessary care, the bushes begin to hurt.
A lack of calcium is indicated by yellow and falling leaves. In this case, you need to place a sea snail shell in the aquarium. Due to lack of light, the leaves begin to become thin and turn pale. The solution is to install more lamps for artificial lighting. If there is a deficiency of nitrogen compounds in the soil, the plant stops growing, so it is necessary to periodically fertilize. With proper maintenance, Pogostemon erectus can grow for up to 4 years.
Diseases
Pogostemon diseases are mainly associated with deterioration of breeding conditions and are easily recognized by a simple description. Let's look at the most common ones.
- Yellowing is a lack of calcium. It is enough to place an empty snail shell next to it, and the greenery will return to its former color.
- Stretching of shoots and loss of splendor usually occurs due to lack of lighting. It persistently reaches for the light and for this purpose chooses a long stem at the expense of a luxurious crown. It is enough to increase the illumination, and the dense crown will return very quickly.
- Slow development and falling leaves are most often caused by a lack of nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen fertilizers will help.
general description
The stem of Pogostemon can grow up to 40 cm in length and up to 15 cm in width. The leaves are quite thin, but dense. The plant is distinguished not only by its unusual appearance, but also by its rich color. Such bushes will look great against a background of red or purple algae.
By the texture of the leaves, you can determine how well the conditions have been chosen. The color of a healthy plant is green with a slight purple tint. During pruning, side shoots are formed, due to which the thickets become denser.
The stem of pogostemon can grow up to 40 cm in length and up to 15 cm in width.
In its natural environment, the algae grows in freshwater bodies of India: lakes, ponds and rivers with weak currents. Most often, the plant can be found in coastal waters and shallow waters, so it receives the amount of sunlight it needs.
In an aquarium, Pogostemon erectus brings only benefits. It consists in:
- processing carbon dioxide into oxygen;
- creating a shelter for fry;
- decorating the aquarium.
Due to its large length, the plant is planted in the background; it is often used to create underwater decorative compositions.
Maintaining pogostemon erectures will not cause much trouble. The main requirement is good lighting and no shadow from other plants. The water should be brackish. For normal growth and reproduction, water must meet the following requirements:
- temperature - from 20 to 30 °C;
- carbon dioxide level - from 8 to 12 mg/l;
- hardness - from 6 to 20°;
- pH - from 5.5 to 7.5.
The water needs to be replaced periodically. It is optimal to change a third of the fluid once a week. The plant has a branched root system. The soil layer should be about 5-7 cm and consist of fine gravel or white sand.
You need to change a third of the water in the aquarium every week.
Pogostemon erectus requires good lighting. Due to lack of light, the leaves may turn pale and the algae itself may become less fluffy. For normal growth, daylight hours should be at least 10-12 hours a day. In this case, you can use lamps with a brightness of 0.7 to 1.0 W/l.
Caring for a plant involves performing the following actions:
- periodic water changes;
- feeding;
- haircut to maintain decorative properties;
- organization of necessary lighting.
To maintain the aesthetics of the algae, you should periodically cut off a third of the top. Thus, the pogostemon will form more side shoots, and the bush will look more lush.
To maintain the aesthetics of the algae, you should periodically cut off a third of the top
Normal plant growth is only possible if there is a supply of carbon dioxide in the aquarium. In addition to periodically changing the water, the container should have a good filter. In dirty water, a coating of mucus begins to appear on the bushes, which impedes normal growth, and can soon lead to the death of the plant.
To speed up growth and improve color, it is recommended to periodically feed the algae. To do this, you can use fertilizers that contain liquid nitrogen. If the plant does not receive the necessary care, the bushes begin to hurt.
A lack of calcium is indicated by yellow and falling leaves. In this case, you need to place a sea snail shell in the aquarium. Due to lack of light, the leaves begin to become thin and turn pale. The solution is to install more lamps for artificial lighting. If there is a deficiency of nitrogen compounds in the soil, the plant stops growing, so it is necessary to periodically fertilize. With proper maintenance, Pogostemon erectus can grow for up to 4 years.
