{"product_id":"rotala-wallichii","title":"Rotala Wallichii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRotala wallichii is the showpiece of the genus and, in the same breath, the hardest to keep. Fine needle-like leaves whorl around the stems and, given intense light and steady CO2, the tops glow pink, salmon and crimson. It rewards a well-run tank and sulks in a struggling one — this is a plant for aquascapers who have their parameters dialled in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe species grows across tropical Asia — China, India, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam — in soft, acidic waters of swamps and slow streams. To recreate those conditions the aquarium needs soft, slightly acidic water, strong lighting and injected CO2; hard, alkaline or nutrient-starved water quickly shows in stunted, pale growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach stem is clothed in dense whorls of thread-fine leaves, giving a soft, foxtail-like column that fades from green at the base to pink and red at the crown. Stems commonly reach 10–30 cm and can stretch to 40–50 cm in a tall, bright tank. The delicate bunch supplied will look sparse at first and firms up as it adapts to submerged growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse it in the midground or background in a tight group, where the feathery texture and warm tips form a striking focal point. Space stems so light and flow reach the lower foliage, and trim by topping and replanting the healthy crowns rather than letting bare lower stems linger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove the band and rockwool and plant each fragile stem separately with planting tweezers. Propagate by cutting the tops and replanting them; the remaining stem will usually branch, though wallichii is slower and less forgiving to regrow than the hardier rotalas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh light and injected CO2 are effectively non-negotiable — without them the plant thins out and melts. Dose the water column with a complete liquid fertiliser and iron to hold colour, and keep water soft and slightly acidic. Best at 22–28 °C. Growth is fast when conditions are right, which also means it is quick to signal any instability. Realistically an advanced plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRotala wallichii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhorly Rotala, Mayaca-leaf Rotala\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–50 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\u003eAdvanced\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\u003eHigh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRequired\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid fertiliser \u0026amp; iron (water column)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.0–6.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft (1–8 °dGH)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCuttings (top and replant)\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\u003eHigh-tech planted aquariums, experienced aquascapers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePair with small, peaceful species — nano tetras, rasboras, dwarf shrimp and snails — that will not disturb the delicate stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDiggers and plant-grazers such as goldfish, silver dollars and larger cichlids will make short work of it. It is also intolerant of unstable CO2 and of liquid-carbon overdosing, both of which trigger melting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. 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":55234105311523,"sku":"AA1295","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/rotala-wallichii-43078099435811-v2.webp?v=1790321587","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/rotala-wallichii","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}