Propagating Tonina sp. 'Belem' from Cuttings

How to propagate the demanding collector star plant Tonina sp. 'Belem' (Eriocaulaceae) by cuttings, with the extremely soft acidic water, CO2 and aquasoil needed to avoid melt.

Overview

Tonina sp. 'Belem' is a highly sought-after collector plant with dense star-shaped whorls of leaves stacked along the stem. It belongs to the family Eriocaulaceae; the type species Tonina fluviatilis is native to Central and northern South America, including northern Brazil and the Guianas, where it grows as a water-loving subshrub valued for its pleasing leaf shape.

Propagation Method (Cuttings)

'Belem' is propagated by cuttings and lateral-shoot division. As a slow-growing Eriocaulaceae it does not tolerate having all its growth heads cut at once, so you harvest the tallest heads selectively and leave the rest to keep the plant alive and developing.

Step-by-Step

Choose the tallest, healthiest growth head and pick it off where it joins the main stem.
Leave at least a couple of growth heads on the parent so it continues to grow.
Strip the lowest leaves from the cutting to expose a short bare stem section.
Replant the bare stem firmly into aquasoil and keep water very soft while it roots.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

Use a nutrient-rich, acidic aquasoil substrate, provide strong unshaded light, and run CO2 injection. Keep water extremely soft and acidic; these conditions mimic the soft blackwater habitats this plant group comes from and are essential for stable growth.

Trimming & Maintenance

Trim gently and infrequently. Slow-growing star plants of this type are usually replanted only every few months, harvesting the tallest heads each time and replanting the strongest sections to maintain a dense, healthy group.

Common Challenges

Melting from hard water or sudden parameter changes is the most common failure, and shading or weak light stunts the plant. Aggressive trimming that removes every growth head can kill the stem. Keep KH near zero, lighting strong, CO2 steady, and trimming minimal.