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The Aponogeton crispus
By Amit Brucker
This article was published on the AGA magazine Volume 17, April - June 2004
My Apono story
Whenever I have to trim my plants, which lately I have to quite often, I always remember the times where I was sitting in front of my so called ‘Planted tank’…. Disappointed by the poor growth, thinking to myself – Would I ever get it right?
Today I am the happily owner of a flourishing planted tank, that is well lit, enjoys CO2 injection and a nutrient-rich substrate.
About six months ago I’ve came across the Aponogeton crispus at my LFS. At that time I didn’t have any experience yet on the family Aponogetonaceae, I figured this was the best time to start it! I bought the plant and took it home. The plant size wasn’t big; the leaves were about 1 to 1.5 cm wide and their height was up to 25 cm long. I’ve planted the Aponogeton gently into the gravel, figuring this would be a beauty. In about two weeks the leaves were starting to fade away and rot. I ended up with a miniature Aponogeton which is so small and consists of only a few 10cm long narrow leaves! I was not willing to give up that easily on such a classic plant. After reading and conducting a small research on the Apono, there were two options left I had to try. The first was that the Aponogeton was planted quite close to the Sagittaria subulata Dwarf Sagittaria, (which I have planted as a foreground carpet). So maybe the Aponogeton was in a constant battle for nutrients with the Sagittaria? The second option occurred to me was that the plant has entered its dormant period.
After waiting for another two weeks nothing had changed. It was time for me to act. I‘ve pulled the plant out of the gravel being very careful not to injure its bulb. The plant was relocated into the mid section of the tank, only this time I did two things; I took off the surrounding Dwarf Sagittaria, and the second thing was to introduce a fertilizer Spike near the bulb of the Aponogeton - It turned out eventually that this was the best thing to do, because further this point the plant started to take off.
In a week the plant started to sprout new beautiful lanceolate leaves with wavy edges. The leaves were in way olive- green colored and were fast growing. Another week passed and I was amazed by the number of new leaves coming out from the base, their beauty and their size. The leaves were getting bigger and bigger until they have reached up to 4-5 cm wide and up to 70-75 cm long!
Since my tank height is 60cm long, the BIG Aponogeton leaves were starting to become a problem as they were located in the center of the tank, sliding to all directions, blocking the lights for the Sagittaria and to all other plants as well – The Aponogeton revenge! Just than I did notice however, some green tight stems climbing up the water surface, and from one of them I’ve discovered a beautiful white vertical flower, emerging out of water surface, It just stood there as if it was waiting to get pollinated.
A short while ago, I started trimming the Aponogeton crispus leaves as the plant is over growing.... I have never thought that a day will come and I will have to trim some of the most beautiful noble leaves of the Aponogeton Crispus.
Aponogeton Species
There are more than 40 species known today from Africa, Asia and Australia.
The plants can be found both as marsh and bog plants and even in fully aquatic form.
About 15 varieties can be grown in the aquarium, but usually half of them are readily available. In nature they have a growth period corresponding to the rainy seasons and dry up in dry seasons.
A few other famous species of the family are the Aponogeton boivinianus, Aponogeton madagascariensis and the Aponogeton ulvaceus.
Aponogeton Crispus
The origin of the Aponogeton Crispus is Sri Lanka. The Aponogeton crispus is also known as the Wavy-edged Swordplant.
It is hardy and will thrive in a rich-nutrients substrate. Leaves may vary from short to long leaf stalks (petioles) in dimmer conditions the petioles are longer.
Recommended temperature is 22-30d, C. Propagation takes place by pollination or from seed. The flower stem grows fast and emerges from the water. It will last for about a week or two.
