Hydrocoyl vertical (Hydrocotyle verticillata) or, as it is called, Thistle mutovchaty or Water navel – an aquarium plant of the umbrella family (Apiaceae).
In nature Thistle mutovchaty widely distributed in subtropical or temperate regions of South and North America.
Hydrocoyl vertical – an original and beautiful plant with round leaves reaching a diameter of 3 cm, bright green color. The cuttings on which the leaves are located reach a length of up to 10 cm, depart from a long creeping stem. A water belly button is planted, usually in the foreground. aquarium.
The plant may contain both floating in the water column, and rooted. Unfortunately, due to some difficulties in content The plant is not particularly spread among aquarists.
Under favorable conditions thistle grows evenly throughout the year, but slowly.
Best for content hydrokyls vertical suitable moderately warm aquarium, however in tropical aquarium the plant feels comfortable enough. The optimal parameters of water are: a temperature of 20-24 ° C, the reaction is neutral or slightly acid, the hardness of water is up to 2 mEq / l (i.e. water should be soft). With small deviations of parameters growth hydrokyls slows down.
it aquarium plant needs bright illuminated. And fits both natural and artificial. If a thistle contained in high aquarium, It is also recommended to use side and additional lighting.
The power of fluorescent lamps used to create artificial lighting, calculated on the displacement aquarium and is at least 0.5 watts per liter. Duration of daylight water navel should be 12-14 hours.
As a substrate, sand laid out in a layer of 2–3 cm is best, since hydrokyls vertical very gentle root system. The soil must be nutritious, but natural siltation will be quite enough.
Therefore, to feed the plants, additional feeding is not necessary. Paludarium conditions are most comfortable for content Thistle whorled. Planted plant in silted mixture of sand, clay and peat.
In the same mixture, you can add aquarium sludge and garden land.
Breeds water belly button by dividing rhizomes. The cuttings with five leaves are planted in the paludarium. Post to aquarium better already grown plant, on the handle of which is already about ten leaves.
After a plant is transferred to water, its growth stops for a short time, so this should be done gradually. Also adapt water belly button and to conditions content on the air, gradually reducing the water level in aquarium.
