Thai fern - an ideal plant for an aquarium

Thai fern, belonging to the family of the centipedes, is quite an interesting and popular plant, consisting of a long rhizome and lanceolate bright green leaves reaching a height of thirty centimeters. The central vein is whitish at the base and slightly convex. It can often be found in amateur aquariums, where it strongly caresses, snuggling to the side walls or spreading in the center.

The native land of this plant is South-East Asia, where it grows in huge quantities in reservoirs. It is interesting that there it can grow on the ground. It is explained by a large number of seasonal rains, which periodically flood the lowlands of rivers.

Thai fern develops all year round. The minimum temperature for its normal development is twenty-four degrees. Otherwise, its growth slows down or stops altogether.

For this plant it is very important that the water in the aquarium is soft, with a stiffness index of not more than six. It should be slightly acidic (pH within five). These indicators are characteristic of the old water, which means that its frequent replacement will not go to the plant for good.

Fern Thai well tolerates both strong and moderate lighting. The duration of the day should not be less than twelve hours. Therefore, in case of problems with light, a fluorescent lamp fits perfectly.

A soil to this plant is not necessary, since its root system is referred to as underdeveloped. The fern grows Thai vegetatively. Its rhizome can be divided into two or three parts so that on each of them there would be leaves. Some varieties of this plant, for example, Thai fern, are reproduced by buds formed on old leaves. Of these, grow young plants. In this case, the leaf itself dies, and a new sprout emerges to the surface, where it is until the normal rhizome develops. After this, due to its severity, it descends to the bottom and grows to the ground.

Another species of this plant - the Thai winged fern - does not tolerate the presence of suspended particles in the water. In addition, he reacts poorly to transplants. And on bottom fish, which, digging the soil, slow down its growth.

Thai fern is different from other aquarium plants. In addition, he is very unpretentious, he is also very handsome. It is easy enough to grow it even in an aquarium with not very strong lighting. In addition, this plant does not need regular fertilizing with fertilizers and in the enrichment of the aquatic environment with carbon dioxide.

Fern Thai is ideal for the design of aquariums in which the plant-eating fish swim. They never hurt him. In addition, it does not require grounding: it is enough to simply fix it on driftwood or stones, leaving the roots free. In the future, the plant itself finds an optimal place for itself to take root.

Many owners of aquariums create from the fern dense lateral thickets or interesting central compositions.