Propagating Bucephalandra 'Sintang' by Rhizome Division

How to propagate Bucephalandra 'Sintang', a slow-growing Borneo rheophyte, by dividing its rhizome into rooted pieces and attaching them to wood or rock.

Overview

Bucephalandra 'Sintang' is a cultivar of the genus Bucephalandra (family Araceae), a group of rheophytic herbs recorded only from Borneo, where they grow as dense mats over stones and rocks in streams and rivers. This variety from the Sintang region carries elongated dark-green leaves with a pronounced silvery sheen on new growth. Like all Bucephalandra, it spreads by a creeping, rooting rhizome and is grown attached to hardscape rather than rooted in substrate.

Propagation Method (Rhizome Division)

Bucephalandra is propagated by dividing the rhizome rather than by topping or cuttings. The easiest approach is to cut the rhizome into pieces with clean, sharp scissors, ideally at natural bends where the plant has formed separate clumps of foliage. Each division should keep its own leaves and roots so it can establish independently once attached to new hardscape.

Step-by-Step

Choose a mature clump of 'Sintang' and locate a natural bend in the rhizome between two separate clusters of leaves.
With clean, sharp scissors cut the rhizome so each piece keeps its own leaves and roots.
Attach each division to wood or rock using sewing thread or super glue gel, or wedge it into a crack in the rock.
Place the new piece under low to moderate light and leave it undisturbed while it establishes.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

'Sintang' grows in low to medium light; higher light may invite algae because the plant grows so slowly. CO2 is not required, though adding it can speed growth. The plant tolerates a temperature range of roughly 22-28 C and is undemanding on nutrients.

Maintenance

Once attached, 'Sintang' needs very little intervention. Nutrients are stored in the rhizome, so leave divisions undisturbed and let new shoots develop. Trimming is rarely needed given the slow growth rate.

Common Challenges

Newly introduced 'Sintang' often melts, shedding some leaves as it adjusts. Do not discard the rhizome: as long as it stays firm and healthy, it will push out new growth. Beyond melt, the main challenges are the plant's very slow pace and algae on older leaves under excess light.