Amazon swords (Echinodorus species) can grow out of the water if they send out a flower stem. This is a natural process for many aquatic plants, including sword plants. When the plant feels the need to reproduce, it will send up a long stem that extends out of the water, sometimes reaching heights of several feet.
When the flower stem emerges, it will produce small, white flowers at the tip. These flowers are usually quite beautiful and can add a unique touch to your aquarium or aquatic garden. However, it’s important to note that not all sword plants will produce flowers, and some may require specific conditions to trigger this reproductive process.
If you want to encourage your sword plant to send out a flower stem, it’s important to provide it with optimal conditions. This includes providing adequate lighting, nutrient-rich substrate, and regular fertilization. A healthy and well-maintained environment can stimulate the plant’s growth and reproductive cycle.
Once the flower stem emerges, you have a couple of options. If you enjoy the aesthetic appeal of the above-water growth, you can simply let it continue growing out of the water. This can create a unique focal point in your aquarium or aquatic garden.
However, if you prefer to keep your Amazon sword fully submerged, you can gently push the flower stem back into the water. By doing so, the plant will redirect its energy towards producing small sword plantlets instead of flowers. These plantlets will form at the base of the flower stem, where it meets the water.
Over time, these plantlets will develop their own roots, making them independent from the flower stem. Once their roots become well-developed, you can carefully detach them from the stem and plant them directly into the substrate. This allows them to establish themselves as individual plants in your aquarium or aquatic garden.
It’s worth noting that the success of growing Amazon swords out of water may vary depending on the specific species and environmental conditions. Some sword plants may adapt better to emersed growth than others. Additionally, maintaining high humidity levels and providing adequate light are crucial for the survival and growth of out-of-water sword plants.
In my personal experience, I’ve had success growing Amazon swords both submerged and emersed. Seeing the flower stems emerge from the water and watching the plantlets develop has been a rewarding and fascinating process. It adds a unique touch to the overall aesthetic of the aquarium or aquatic garden.
Amazon swords can indeed grow out of the water if they send out a flower stem. If you choose to keep the plant submerged, you can push the stem back into the water to grow small sword plantlets. However, it’s important to provide optimal conditions and monitor the plant’s health to ensure successful growth.