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Echinodorus osiris (rubra) is one of the
most ornamental sword plants. In the 1970s this plant was one of the most trendy - a real plant aquarists had to have a Echinodorus
osiris in the aquarium. Although, a lot of new plants have emerged since
then, it is still among the most popular aquarium plants.
The 3-4 youngest leaves are beautifully red-coloured. In addition, the
young leaves are a very good indicator for especially the iron level of the
aquarium. At iron deficiency, these leaves turn pale and translucent. Echinodorus
osiris prefers a nutrient rich substrate, bright light - pH values above
7.5 restrict the growth significantly. It is a greedy plant, and the growth
always benefits from fertilizer pills in the substrate. The plant is
amphibious and the emergent leaves are egg-shaped compared to the more
elliptic and undulating water leaves. Echinodorus osiris is
triploide and no fertile seeds are produced. Therefore, the plant can only be
propagated through adventitious plants on the inflorescence or from the
rhizome. See also fish-proof plants from Tropica Aquarium Plants.
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