Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Barclaya longifolia
Hydrostemma longifolium
Barclaya pierreana
Barclaya oblonga
Common name
Barclaya
Origin
Origin: South East Asia
Ideal fertilization
CO2: 5-40mg/l
Nitrates (NO3): 10-50mg/l
Phosphates (PO4): 0,1-3mg/l
Potassium (K): 5-30mg/l
Iron (Fe): 0,01-0,5mg/l
Group
Nymphaeaceae (Barclayaceae)
Kind
Rhizome
Parameters
T°: 25 to 28°C or 77 to 82°F
pH: 6 to 7
Hardness: 5 to 15°dGH
Difficulty
Average
Lighting
Average
Size
35 cm (14")
Plantation
Middle or background
Growth
Average
Presentation
Presentation
Who is the Barclaya?
It is usually found in fast-flowing streams in Southeast Asia.
Fragile enough, this plant can not be installed in aquariums containing snails or turbulent fish. Indeed, it is a true paradise for snails! The leaves are tender and appetising. This plant will be among the first attacked by molluscs. Do avoid then!
Planting and maintenance
Planting and maintenance
How to plant and maintain the Barclaya?
Because of its size, it is best to install it in the background for small aquariums, and possibly on the sides or in the middle for larger aquariums. Note that in order for this plant to flourish fully, it needs space. A 250 liter or 55 Imp Gal or 66 US Gal aquarium is ideal for this!
As for the density of plantation, you can leave on a proportion of 1 foot of Barclaya every 20 cm² or 3 square inch. Install it preferably under medium to strong lighting. The rhizome of this plant needs a thick layer of substrate. Nevertheless, the upper part of the rhizome must remain out of the substrate.
Even if it is not mandatory, a fertilizer input in the substrate from time to time will be a plus.
Farming
Farming
How to farm the Barclaya?
The growth of Barclayas is uneven, alternating phases of outbreaks and phases of rest. Do not be surprised if your plant loses all its leaves: it is resting! Indeed, during the rest phases, the leaves can die and fall. A few weeks later, the plant begins to produce leaves again.
It is one of the rare plants that you can easily farm by sowing seeds. Adult and healthy feet will form floral stems towards the surface. When they reach the surface, the flowers pollinate when they open. Then come seed production: the «swollen» part of the flower thickens to eventually dissolve. You can intervene at this stage: remove the floral peduncle (indeed, if you do not, the seeds will spread in your aquarium). By opening the pod, you will see many seeds covered by a gelatinous white substance. Wash them and sow them in a sandy substrate, in direct light and without too much current. If your aquarium is configured this way, make sure the fish do not dig the soil and sow in a well-lit area. If your aquarium does not have these features, you can plant your seedlings in a small bin separately. As and when, a number of feet will appear. When they are 6/10 cm or 2.3 to 4 inch tall, you can move them gently to their final location.
Good To know
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Interestingly, even though this plant belongs to the family of water lilies, it is not at all a floating plant!
You can find a red and a green variety of this plant. Note that the green variety is a little larger than its red binoculars.
Here is the geographical distribution of the different species of Barclaya:
Barclaya longifolia: South Asia
Barclaya kunstleri: Malaysia
Barclaya motleyi: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia
Barclaya rotundifolia: Malaysia
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