How to grow aquatic plants so they survive? These easy-to-grow species are suitable for beginners

Aquatic plants, as the name suggests, are herbaceous plants that can grow naturally in water. They are indispensable to aquatic animals such as fish and shrimp in the water. Nowadays, whether for outdoor cultivation or indoor cultivation, some aquatic plants are always planted, but planting aquatic plants is a technical job, so how do you grow aquatic plants so they successfully survive? Which aquatic plant species are relatively easy to grow and suitable for beginners?

1. Which aquatic plant species are easy to grow and suitable for beginners?

1. Recommended species for outdoor aquatic plant cultivation

If it is a dug pond, where fish, shrimp, crabs and the like are raised, aquatic plants need to be planted. Recommended are Hydrilla verticillata, Vallisneria natans, Elodea nuttallii, Ceratophyllum demersum, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton malaianus, water hyacinth, water lettuce, duckweed, reed, wild rice stem, arrowhead, cattail, etc.

2. Recommendations for growing aquatic plants in fish tanks

Generally, aquatic plants grown in fish tanks must be chosen with relatively well-developed root systems to survive smoothly. For beginners in aquatic plant cultivation, snapdragon, dragon's beard grass, Amazon sword, and water chrysanthemum are all very suitable.

In addition, for beginners, when buying aquatic plants, be careful to avoid buying “fake aquatic plants” (water-tolerant terrestrial plants). First, it is not conducive to the survival of aquatic plants, and second, it is also bad for the fish and shrimp inside.

2. How do you grow aquatic plants so they successfully survive?

1. Cultivation methods for aquatic plants

(1) Outdoor aquatic plant cultivation

Generally, outdoor aquatic plant cultivation can use the cutting and planting method, the throwing and planting method, the transplanting method, the cultivation method, and the sowing method, but different types of aquatic plants are suited to different methods when grown.

For example, Hydrilla verticillata and Elodea nuttallii are suited to the cutting and planting method. Cut them into sections and insert them into the mud just like planting rice seedlings.

Vallisneria natans, however, is suited to sowing. It is recommended to soak the seeds first and mix them with sand and soil before sowing, so the survival rate will be somewhat higher.

(2) Fish tank aquatic plant cultivation

Aquatic plants grown in fish tanks are suited to pot planting, sand planting, and floating planting. For example, the Amazon sword, dragon's beard grass, and water chrysanthemum recommended earlier are suited to pot planting and sand planting, while centipede grass and snapdragon are suited to floating planting.

2. Precautions for aquatic plant cultivation

(1) Light: For aquatic plants to grow normally, they also need sufficient light, and artificial supplemental lighting can be used when necessary.

(2) Temperature: The optimum growth temperature for the vast majority of aquatic plants is 18-30°C, so cooling and warming measures should be taken in summer and winter respectively.

(3) Aquatic plant density: Aquatic plants should not be planted too densely; fish and shrimp must be ensured sufficient living space.

(4) Nutrients: If nutrients are insufficient, aquatic plants are prone to dying, so appropriate fertilization is very necessary.

(5) Water quality: First, ensure a suitable pH value, which must not be too high or too low; second, avoid the phenomenon of high calcium in the water quality.