Ottelia alismoides: Aliases and Cultivation Methods Explained

Ottelia alismoides is a plant that can be used as fertilizer, a vegetable, fish bait, fodder and medicine. It belongs to the genus Ottelia in the family Hydrocharitaceae and is a submerged herbaceous plant. The appearance of Ottelia alismoides varies and changes with the environment, taking forms such as ovate, heart-shaped, lanceolate and linear. So what are the aliases of Ottelia alismoides? How is it cultivated?

1. What are the aliases of Ottelia alismoides?

The aliases of Ottelia alismoides include dwarf Amazon sword, glass crown plant, sea vegetable, Ottelia alismoides, dragon claw grass, ox ear grass and so on. It is the only higher plant that possesses three carbon-concentrating mechanisms in one: the ability to use bicarbonate, the C4 metabolic pathway and the CAM metabolic pathway.

Ottelia alismoides is mainly distributed in China in the lakes, ditches and ponds of the Northeast region as well as Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and other provinces and regions, as well as in paddy fields and waterlogged depressions. Other regions mainly include northeastern Africa, eastern and southeastern Asia through to the tropical regions of Australia.

2. How is Ottelia alismoides cultivated?

1. Choice of growing substrate

If Ottelia alismoides is generally decorated in an indoor aquarium, relatively small-diameter gravel should be chosen as the growing substrate. Of course, if there is no gravel, washed coarse sand can be chosen as the growing substrate.

2. Planting

Once Ottelia alismoides has grown into seedlings, it can be planted. A general-purpose aquarium is usually chosen, a medium-sized one will do. Pay attention to the placement position, ensuring that the whole plant of Ottelia alismoides can be reached by light. First spread the growing substrate at the bottom of the aquarium, a thickness of about 4 to 5 cm will do. To make this step easier, put an appropriate amount of water into the aquarium before planting. After the operation is finished, continue to add a certain amount of water to the container until the height is reached. During the actual planting process, the movements must be gentle so as not to damage the leaves.

3. Key management points

The water used for cultivating Ottelia alismoides should have its pH well controlled, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline is fine. The water must be kept flowing, that is, it must be living water. A submersible pump should be installed inside the aquarium so that the effect of flowing water can be maintained.

Ottelia alismoides is a plant with relatively high fertilizer needs. During the vigorous growth stage, it is generally fertilized about once a month, using cooked soybeans for topdressing. A liquid fertilizer made by adding inorganic salts to the water can also be used.

If during cultivation Ottelia alismoides is found to grow slowly and have relatively small leaves, it indicates insufficient fertilizer, and it should be supplemented appropriately.

Maintain 3 to 4 hours of light every day so that it can carry out sufficient photosynthesis.

Ottelia alismoides generally does not easily fall ill, but it may be attacked by fish kept together with it, so the owner should pay attention. The best ornamental period for Ottelia alismoides is from May to July, and the planting time generally should not exceed 8 months.