Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green
Cryptocoryne wendtii green originates from Sri Lanka, commonly found in freshwater streams, often in shaded, slow moving water, rooted in nutrient rich substrate under a forest canopy. including Malaysia, India, and Indonesia (Java). In aquariums it's a hardy, versatile aquarium plant, ideal for aquascaping, often used in the midground due to its compact rosette form and moderate height, with bright green foliage. Its broader, textured leaves contrast nicely against fine leaf stem plants and grasses.
- Scientific name: Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green
- Plant type: Rosette, root feeder, slow growing
- Water parameters:
- pH range: 6.0 to 8.0 (6.5 to 7.5 being optimal)
- Temperature range: 68F to 80F (72F to 78F being optimal)
- Water hardness: 3 to 12 dGH (51-205 ppm), 2 to 10 dKH (34-171 ppm), adapts to both soft and harder water
- Stability, consistency more important than chasing any "perfect" numbers
- CO2 requirements: Recommended for bushier, healthier growth
- Substrate preference: Nutrient rich aqua soil, any other substrate material along with root tabs
- Nutrient requirements: Primarily a root feeder, but draws some nutrients from the water column
- Lighting: Thrives in low to moderate light, requiring 6 to 8 hours of light daily for optimal growth
- Water flow: Low to moderate, gentle but thorough with good CO2 and nutrient distribution, airstone for oxygen at night
- Propagation: Crypts propagate easily via underground runners (rhizomes) or by dividing the root crown of mature, established plants
- Filtration: Clean water is essential, with proper balance of nutrients, oxygen, co2, low to moderate light, like most aquatic plants, weekly 25% water changes, monitor water conditions regularly
- Acclimation period and getting established
- Plant in nutrient rich substrate, ensuring that the crown is slightly above the substrate to prevent rot
- Often undergoes "crypt melt," wherein leaves die off due to environmental change, usually within 1 to 2 weeks of initial planting
- Remove dead leaves to prevent fouling the water, and be patient, the roots remain healthy and new, adapted leaves emerge from the crown
- Avoid moving the plant once it has been planted, as being moved triggers stress and possible melting
- Patience, crypts take weeks or months to establish with full growth, but are very hardy