Rotala Blood Red care guide
Rotala Blood Red (Rotala sp. 'Blood Red') — high light, 22-28 °C, pH 5.5-7, CO2 recommended.
Overview
Rotala Blood Red (Rotala sp. 'Blood Red') is an aquatic plant of the family Lythraceae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an advanced-level species. It is typically grown under high light with pressurised CO2 injection on nutrient-rich aquasoil. A selectively bred Rotala variety displaying an intense blood-red coloration throughout the entire plant under optimal conditions. Requires very high light, CO2 injection, and careful iron supplementation to achieve its signature deep crimson appearance.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae
- Genus: Rotala
- Scientific name: Rotala sp. 'Blood Red'
- Common synonyms: Rotala Blood Red SG
Habitat
Rotala is a genus of small marsh plants (Lythraceae) distributed across the Old-World tropics, from India and South-East Asia to tropical Africa and northern Australia. Many forms occur in rice paddies, ditches and seasonally flooded lowlands. In the Aquairi knowledge base, populations associated with this form are recorded from cultivated.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: high
- CO2: recommended
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 25 cm
- Growth rate: medium
- Recommended placement: midground
Placement
A background or midground stem. Bright light combined with CO2 injection brings out the orange, pink and red tones for which Rotala is grown; lean nitrogen and abundant micros sharpen the colour further. In the Aquairi knowledge base this form is recommended for the midground under high light with pressurised CO2 injection, using nutrient-rich aquasoil.
Propagation
Pinched off and replanted cuttings root in days; periodic topping creates the dense bushy cluster characteristic of Dutch- and nature-style layouts. Documented propagation techniques for this entry include: stem cuttings.
Common issues
Small upright leaves and pale tips indicate insufficient light or CO2; reducing nitrate slightly while raising iron tends to intensify the red pigments.