{"product_id":"blue-stricta","title":"Blue Stricta","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlue Stricta is a fast, upright stem plant that fills the back of a tank with fresh green in a matter of weeks. Under brighter light the leaf edges take on a bronze-to-reddish cast, which is where the name comes from. Hardy and quick, it is a good background plant for anyone finding their feet with a planted tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cultivated form of a Southeast Asian marsh Hygrophila, it grows along the margins of streams and wet ground, often emersed with just its base in water. Submerged in the aquarium it wants warmth, decent light and a steady supply of nutrients through the water column to keep pace with its natural vigour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSturdy vertical stems carry lance-shaped leaves in opposite pairs, olive green in the body and flushing bronze or reddish at the tips in strong light. Left unchecked it reaches around 25–50 cm and will grow out of an open tank, where it can flower. The bunch you receive is a set of cuttings ready to root and grow upward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA midground-to-background plant, most effective in a group of five to seven stems to form a leafy backdrop. Space the stems a couple of centimetres apart so light reaches the lower leaves, and top-trim regularly to keep the group bushy rather than leggy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove any rockwool or weights, strip the lowest pair or two of leaves, and push each stem a few centimetres into the substrate. Propagation could not be simpler: snip the top off a tall stem and replant it, and the original will branch from where it was cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate to high light gives the best colour and compact form; in low light it stretches and drops lower leaves. CO2 is not required but noticeably improves growth and density, as does regular liquid fertiliser. Comfortable at 18–30 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to hard water. Growth is fast, so expect to trim often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHygrophila corymbosa 'Stricta'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Stricta\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoutheast Asia (cultivated form)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–50 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMidground \/ Background\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to High\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required (beneficial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid fertiliser (water column) \u0026amp; root tabs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–18 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTop cuttings replanted; side shoots\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommunity tanks, beginners, background planting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFine with most peaceful community fish, small tetras, rasboras, livebearers, shrimp and snails. Its fast growth also helps mop up nutrients and keep algae in check.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHerbivorous and leaf-nibbling fish – silver dollars, larger goldfish and many cichlids – will graze the soft leaves. Big diggers can uproot freshly planted stems before they anchor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or delivery Australia wide. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234106589475,"sku":"BA9093","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/blue-stricta-43078074663203-v2.webp?v=1790321529","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-stricta","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}