Propagating Echinodorus uruguayensis 'Horemanii'

How to propagate the deep-red narrow-leaf Horemanii sword by adventitious plantlets on the flower stalk and by crown division in a planted aquarium.

Overview

Echinodorus uruguayensis 'Horemanii' is a rosette sword from South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile). Its submersed leaves are ribbon-shaped, up to 30-50 cm long, green or darkly red-brown with undulate margins. Like other Echinodorus, it is by nature a marsh and bog plant that grows well submersed and forms an upright, proliferous flower stem when conditions are right.

Because it is a rosette plant rather than a stem plant, you do not propagate it from cuttings. Instead it multiplies through adventitious plantlets on the flower stalk and through division of the established crown.

Propagation Method (Adventitious Plantlets / Division)

There are two reliable routes. The primary one is adventitious plantlets: propagation is by division or by adventitious new plants developing on submerged flowering stems. When the inflorescence forms submersed, small plantlets form instead of flowers, so a mature plant sends up a stalk that becomes a nursery of daughter rosettes.

The second route is crown or rhizome division of a large clump. E. uruguayensis can propagate by division, though it tends to grow slowly, so patience is required before a divided piece reaches size.

Step-by-Step

1. Grow a mature, well-fed plant until it sends up a flower stalk (inflorescence).
2. Keep the stalk submerged so it produces plantlets instead of flowers; if it tries to reach the surface, anchor it under the water with thread and a small stone.
3. Each node or whorl with its three bracts can produce at least three plantlets, so wait while leaves and roots develop on them.
4. Once a plantlet has its own small root system, detach it from the stalk and plant it into nutrient-rich substrate.
5. When all plantlets have been removed, cut away the spent stalk.
6. For division, lift a large clump and gently separate it into sections, each keeping healthy roots and several leaves, then replant.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

This sword prefers good light and grows best in a deep, nutrient-rich substrate; it needs a nutrient-rich substrate and good light levels, and additional CO2 helps growth. It is well suited to submersed growth and will grow in sub-tropical temperatures, in which it seems to bloom more readily.

Maintenance

Remove old or melting outer leaves at the base so light reaches the centre of the rosette. Keep root tabs topped up and dose the water column lightly so new plantlets establish quickly after replanting.

Common Challenges