Ludwigia peruensis
Scientific name: Ludwigia peruensis
Family: Onagraceae
Usual maximum size in aquariums: 40 - 55 cm (15.75 - 21.65 inch)
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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.5 - 7.4
Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)
0°C 32°F30°C 86°F
Recommended temperature: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F)
Reproduction of the plant: Cuttings
Origin (in the wild): North America
How fast these plants grow: Normal
Recommended substrate: Fine gravel
Demands on lighting: Bright
Ideal placement in a fish tank: Middle
Common Name
Red Star Ludwigia
Planting Area
Midground to Background. For medium sized aquariums it is much better placed as a midground plant only use as a background plant in smaller aquariums.
Propagation
This plant is propagated by taking cuttings. It is very easily done by snipping off one of the lateral shoots with sharp scissors. Remove the bottom two pairs of leaves and carefully place the stem into the substrate. Always make sure that the stem is not crushed while doing this and in a few weeks the cutting should have grown a decent root system. If allowed to grow above the water surface it will develop yellow flowers which will drop seeds if pollinated but this can be extremely difficult for inexperienced growers and cuttings are by far the easiest method to obtain extra plants from the mother plant.
Difficulty
Medium
Short Description
This plant grows well in the aquarium but it is found in its native countries on the banks of the local waterways where it produces bright yellow flowers. When fully submersed it will not flower but it will retain the reddish colouration in the leaves if the lighting levels are bright enough. If the lighting levels are lower the leaves will turn green. The addition of a CO2 system will benefit the growth rate a lot.
This plant displays a beautiful colouration when cared for correctly with the upper leaves developing a dark green colouration while the undersides of the leaves will display a red colouration. Loss of colour and flimsy growth could show that the lighting system is not powerful enough to aid the growth, lack of nutrients could also be the cause but the lighting levels is the normal culprit.