Bucephalandra 'Tia Tia' Care Guide
Bucephalandra sp. 'Tia Tia' is a small-leaved Borneo epiphyte prized in nano scaping for red-purple new growth and silver dotting on its leaves.
Overview
Bucephalandra sp. 'Tia Tia' is a cultivar of the genus Bucephalandra, a group of aquatic plants endemic to Borneo. The genus comprises rheophytic herbs that grow as dense mats over stones and rocks in tropical streams and rivers. 'Tia Tia' is a dwarf-leaved selection valued in nano aquascaping for its intense red-purple new growth and the silver dotting that is characteristic of many Bucephalandra leaves.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araceae
- Order: Alismatales
- Genus: Bucephalandra
- Scientific name: Bucephalandra sp. 'Tia Tia'
Habitat
All described Bucephalandra species have been recorded only from Borneo, where they grow along fast-moving streams attached to rocks by creeping, rooting stems. Seasonal water levels expose the plants to alternating submersed and emersed phases. This rheophytic origin is why the plant is grown in aquariums as an epiphyte on hardscape rather than rooted in substrate.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Growth rate: slow
- Maximum height: about 5 cm
- Placement: epiphyte on rock or driftwood
Planting and care
Bucephalandra attaches to hardscape with holdfast roots and must not be planted in substrate, since a buried rhizome rots. The plant is wedged between rocks, tied with thread, or glued to stone or wood. Its small leaf size suits detail work in crevices of rockwork. Medium light with supplemental CO2 and nutrients brings out the red-purple coloration and improves growth, while excessive light over slow growth can encourage algae. Leaves may melt after the change from emersed nursery culture, but new shoots emerge from a healthy rhizome.
Propagation
Propagation is by rhizome division, cutting with clean, sharp scissors at natural bends where separate leaf clumps form. Each division should keep enough rhizome to support new growth, and healthy bare rhizome segments will produce new leaves. New pieces are attached to rock or driftwood.