Eriocaulon ratnagiricum Care Guide
Indian pipewort forming tight grass-like rosettes that turn bluish-green under intense light; a demanding high-tech plant needing CO2 and aquasoil.
Overview
Eriocaulon ratnagiricum is a pipewort from India, in the family Eriocaulaceae. It forms tightly packed, grass-like rosettes that can take on a bluish-green tone under intense light. It is one of the more sought-after collector eriocaulons and is reported to be endangered in the wild. It grows as a rooted midground plant.
Taxonomy
- Family: Eriocaulaceae
- Genus: Eriocaulon
- Scientific name: Eriocaulon ratnagiricum
- Common name: Ratnagiri Pipewort
Habitat
The species is native to India. Like other eriocaulons it grows in soft, acidic water and is associated with seasonally wet, nutrient-poor substrates in its native habitat.
Tank requirements
- Light: high (strong lighting at substrate level is required for compact growth)
- CO2: required, with a stable supply
- Temperature: 22-27 °C (72-81 °F)
- pH: 5.0-6.8
- GH: 1-6 °dGH (soft water; low KH is recommended)
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil (it is a heavy root feeder)
- Difficulty: advanced
Care and growth
This is a high-tech plant: it thrives in soft, acidic water with strong lighting and stable CO2, and it is best planted in ammonia-rich aquasoil with regular fertilising. As a heavy root feeder it benefits from root tabs or rich substrate. Stable parameters are key, because fluctuations can stunt growth.
Propagation
Propagation is by division: mature rosettes can be split into smaller clumps and replanted. Growth is slow, so divisions take time to fill in.