Far Thunder wrote:
Hau kolas..came across this in an unlabeled tank at a LFS about a month
ago, threw it in my quarantine tank to see what would happen. Woman who
worked there who usually knows her stuff could only say it "needs high
light" and thought it was hygrophila polysperma 'sunset'. Hadn't seen it
before or since. Well since then this plant has done very well. it's
doubled in size, colored up beautifully, and thrown out roots from the
nodes like mad and is threatening to grow out of the tank..rapid growth
has paused at the water line for the present time. I'd like to
propagate it, but don't want to kill them in the process. here's some
pictures, not the best quality in the world. doesn't seem to have the
vein coloration of 'sunset' from pictures I've found. the plant started
off fairly green with maroon undersides of the leaves. , after going
into the quarantine tank with 65W over 20 gallons, the leaves became
more true red, but the upper leaves are pretty much bright pink on the
undersides now. Any guesses as to what it could be? Or regarding
propagation? TIA for any help

http://home.comcast.net/~farthunder/plant1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~farthunder/plant2.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~farthunder/plant3.jpg this shows the plant
appearance when first put into my tank
http://home.comcast.net/~farthunder/plant4.jpg undersides of upper
leaves..more pink as approach waterline
http://home.comcast.net/~farthunder/plant5.jpg tops of leaves green
tinted red

lila pilamaya


Looks like a type of hygrophila but I'm no expert, but I do know that
mine grows rampantly so I spread it across tanks. Taking cuttings is
quite easy if it is hygrophila. Just nip out some stems 3-4" in length.
Strip off the lower leaves while trying to keep as much of the root hair
as possible. I then tie 3 or 4 stems with a plant weight and sink them
into the gravel. Works a treat....

Gill