Tropica Bucephalandra sp. ‘Needle Leaf’ 1-2-Grow!

Description

Though Bucephalandras are from Asia and Anubias fom Africa, they have a lot in common, including how to grow them.
Bucephalandra sp. ‘Needle leaf’ has a bit higher demands than the ‘diabolica’ and pygmaeae, but is still a very easy plant to grow. Some added CO2 and a little more light is beneficial. Immersed leaves are green, elongated and slightly waved, showing numerous tiny, white dots. Each leaf is less than 0.5 cm broad and between 1 and 2 cm long. Youngest parts of the rhizome display a nice, red colour. Growth is slow.
The creeping rhizome must not be covered when planting, otherwise the plant will rot and die.
Plant info

Type:
Rhizomatous

Origin:
Asia

Country or continent where a plant is the most common. Cultivars arise or are bred in cultivation.

Growth rate:
Slow

Growth rate of the plant compared to other aquatic plants.

Height:
3 – 5+

Average height (cm) of the plant after two months in the tank.

Light demand:
Low

The average or medium light demand of an aquarium plant is 0,5 W/L.

CO2 :
Low

A medium need in CO2 is 6-14 mg/L. A high demand in CO2 is approx. 15-25 mg/L.

Bucephalandra sp. ‘Needle Leaf’ 1-2-Grow for Local Aquascapes

‘Needle Leaf’ is a distinctive Bucephalandra with elongated, slightly waved green leaves speckled with tiny white dots. It asks a touch more than the easiest varieties, benefiting from some added CO2 and slightly higher light, though it remains a straightforward epiphyte overall. Supplied as clean 1-2-Grow tissue culture, it reaches you free of snails and algae, which matters in our warm climate where hitchhikers take hold rapidly.

Split the gel-grown clump into small pieces and fix them to rock or driftwood with the rhizome left uncovered, since burying it causes rot. The slender leaf form gives a fine, textural contrast against broader Anubias and Bucephalandra, useful in detailed nano scapes popular in Singapore homes. Allow for some melt while it converts to submerged growth, then expect slow, steady development that needs little ongoing trimming.

See more in our epiphytes category. For care help, read our Bucephalandra care guide, and if you want stronger colour and growth, our aquarium CO2 guide.