Bucephalandra pygmaea 'Bukit Kelam' Care Guide
Bucephalandra pygmaea 'Bukit Kelam' is a tiny rheophytic Borneo aroid (Araceae) with narrow leaves, grown as a slow epiphyte attached to stone in nano aquariums.
Overview
Bucephalandra pygmaea 'Bukit Kelam' is a small rheophytic aroid cultivar named after the Bukit Kelam area of West Kalimantan in Borneo. It has narrow lance-shaped leaves and a dense, compact growth habit, making it suitable for nano aquascapes attached to small stones. Like all Bucephalandra it is an epiphyte grown on hardscape rather than planted in substrate.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Bucephalandra
- Scientific name: Bucephalandra pygmaea 'Bukit Kelam'
Habitat
The genus Bucephalandra is endemic to Borneo, where the plants grow as rheophytic herbs forming dense mats over stones and rocks in streams and rivers within moist tropical forest. Stems are creeping and rooting.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Maximum height: about 5 cm
- Lighting: low
- CO2: not required
- Placement: epiphyte (on rock or wood)
Growth and care
Growth is slow. The plant grows in low to medium light; added CO2 is not necessary but can speed up growth and improve coloration. The rhizome must not be buried, as covering it can cause rot, so the plant is attached to rock or driftwood with thread or aquarium-safe glue. Leaves may melt after transfer from emersed culture, but new growth emerges from the rhizome.
Propagation
Propagation is by dividing the rhizome with sharp scissors at natural bends, then attaching the new piece to hardscape.