Propagating Bucephalandra 'Lamandau Mini Purple'

A guide to propagating Bucephalandra 'Lamandau Mini Purple', a nano Borneo rhizome epiphyte with purple leaf undersides, by rhizome division onto wood or rock.

Overview

Bucephalandra 'Lamandau Mini Purple' is a nano cultivar of the genus Bucephalandra, a flowering plant in the family Araceae. All described species of the genus are recorded only from Borneo, where they grow as rheophytic herbs over stones in streams and rivers. This form has dark green leaf tops with purple to violet undersides and shines under moderate light.

It is an epiphyte with a creeping, rooting rhizome that forms dense mats on hardscape rather than rooting into substrate. Its small size and slow growth make it ideal for nano layouts.

Propagation Method (Rhizome Division)

This mini cultivar is propagated by rhizome division, as is the whole genus. A section of the creeping rhizome that already carries leaves and roots is separated so it can establish independently and keep growing.

• Keep each rhizome piece longer than about 1.5 inches (4 cm), even on this small form.
• Ensure every piece has several healthy leaves and some roots.
• Healthy bare rhizome will sprout new leaves, but leafed pieces recover fastest.

Step-by-Step

1. Lift the parent plant and rinse the rhizome gently.
2. Cut the rhizome into pieces over ~1.5 in long, each with leaves and roots.
3. Attach each piece to small driftwood or stone with thread or gel glue.
4. Keep the rhizome on top of the surface, never buried.
5. Set under moderate light with a gentle current.
6. Wait several weeks for roots to anchor naturally.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

• Light: moderate; this brings out the purple undersides best.
• Temperature: 22-28 C; cooler water reduces melting and stress.
• Flow: gentle current suits its rheophytic origin from flowing waters.
• CO2: not required, though it can speed the slow growth.
• Substrate: any, as the plant lives on hardscape rather than in soil.

Maintenance

After the divisions root onto wood or rock, this nano cultivar needs minimal care. Remove melted or fading leaves to keep the water clean and let the compact, purple-backed foliage fill in slowly. Established clumps can be divided again to carpet small-scale hardscape.

Common Challenges

Slow growth is normal for this small form and not a problem. Because it advances gradually, decaying melted leaves under low light can trigger algae, so keep foliage clean and lighting moderate.