x5 Staurogene Repens Stems - Cuttings

Scientific Name: Staurogene Repens -ex: Staurogene sp. "Rio Cristalino"

Detailed Information:

This attractive plant variety from Brazil is a member of the Acanthus family.

It looks similar like a miniature Hygrophila and it is an outstanding plant for the foreground however it can be also used as a mid-ground plant. It grows very slowly and demands intense light and a good supply of nutrients directly to the roots. A good fertilizer in the form of root tablets in order to form a dense root system.  

Regularly trimming the shoot tips will force the plant to push out a lot of new horizontal shoots, and to grow into a thick bush of green foliage. 

For aquascaping purposes, these beauties mix well with Hemianthus Callitrichoides. It shows its full Aquascaping potential when combined with the corresponding hardscape, such as in Iwagumi style aquariums. It is ideal for closing gaps between large rocks with a cover of green plants, or to form a bush supported by rocks or wood. S. repens literally molds itself into cracks in rock formations or crawls down from higher places. After all that is exactly its natural growth pattern on the rocks in the banks of the Brazilian rivers.

S. Repens covers the ground with relatively large light green leaves, or forms low-growing broad bushes in the foreground and mid-plane, is a good plant to accompany other low-growing plants that contrast in texture and color. Newly planted shoots grow primarily carpet-like at first, however they can also form vertical stems, especially if the cluster becomes denser over time. If you want your Staurogyne to continue to grow low and like a carpet, cut these longer stems selectively. This method also encourages branching. It is also possible to trim the entire group if it has grown more than desired. The plant will shed many side shoots from the stem stumps with no remaining leaves.

S. repens is an adaptable plant that can be grown in both submerged and emersed environments. Be sure to allow adequate time for the plants to transition. High lighting and Co2 injection is necessary to keep this plant low growing.  Vertical growing thin stalks are an indication of lack of lighting while yellowing leaves can mean nutrition deficiency.  Thin leaves can also hint at a lack of Co2.  This plant can grow quickly and require regular trimming when kept under proper conditions. Trimmings can be replanted as a form of propagation.

Family Name: Acanthaceae
Species: Staurogene
Origin: South America, Brazil
Height: 3-7.5cm
pH: 6-7.5
Care: Medium to Difficult
Light: Medium to High
Co2: Highly recommended
Temperature: 20 C-30 C
Propagation: Cut stem and replant
Growth rate: Slow to Moderate

What We Like About This Plant:

• It has bright green leaves and stands out from the rest of the plants as they usually have darker green leaves.
  
• Fantastic foreground plant with which you can create a pseudo-carpeting effect.
• A fantastic plant in the arsenal of every aquascaper.
  

Tip:

- In 2006 Staurogyne Repens was firstly introduced as a new aquarium plant and is now a frequently used plant in Aquascaping. This plant was known up until recently as Staurogyne sp. "Rio Cristalino". However, in 2010, Dr. Dieter C. Wasshausen identified herbarized flowering plants by Christel Kasselmann as Staurogyne repens.

- The plant was found growing in and among rocks on the riverbank that have rapid currents, usually above water level, and in full sun.