I recently received an order and planted some stalks (first pic) of what I thought was Rotala Narrow Leaf (second pic). I admit I’m not a learned botanist and I’m questioning if this is actually what I ordered, but have been told the green will shift red under light.
I do like the look of these plants, but I wanted to add natural reds/pinks into the flora for my daughter.
Any/all help would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Printerwood
5 Comments
I mean the leaf shape is really different. I’m not a biologist either but I’m definitely suspicious like you. Don’t forget your root tabs.
They probably are the same plant and they were just grown out of water so the leaf shape is pretty different. They might melt back but the new growth should be more similar in shape to the second picture now that they are submerged. Co2 is what typically makes red plants like this pop so it may shift a little red but it probably wont get that deep pink unfortunately unless you have Co2. It will probably survive either way just might end up staying a little green or getting orange at the top.
I personally like the ease of low tech tanks without Co2 and i also love red plants so ive tried my hand at quite a few. My favorite red and pink plants are lillies. Nymphaea Zenkeri is my favorite and a deeper color and Nymphaea Stellata is a bit of a lighter pink. They dont need anything super fancy to be red and pink and they are such a different texture compared to most plants and can even shoot out some lily pads! Ludwigia super red is also a great stem plant option it typically retains its red color even without Co2 and it will be a little more similar to the rotala in looks.
The ones you have look like the same to me, just grown out of water and also in maybe a lower light environment. I also think they were in lower light since they look kinda leggy. I’d say give it a little time under good conditions and you’ll probably see what you purchased
https://preview.redd.it/5k0vyynar0qg1.jpeg?width=907&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4b1ef741eeb3dcb55cb1302db1e9ba4d8b56f6e3
Here’s a photo I found showing the emersed and submerged versions of rotala. When the stem reaches the surface, it may even begin to grow the out of water version on-top of the in water version, with both on the same stem. Yours will likely melt it’s leaves, while growing the submerged growth from the top. Then, when it reaches the surface, cut it, remove the now bare sections of stem and replant the new growth sections, which should be the red type.
Mine always melt like crazy. Hoping they come back but the red/ purple plants I have melted and the rest are fine. So strange!