A beautiful, dark-red variety of Echinodorus 'Ozelot', 20-50 cm tall and a 20-40 cm wide rosette. The dark red spots form a bigger contrast on the light leaves. The leaf margin is fluted. A nutritious bottom promotes growth. It is an easy and highly recommended plant, which thrives in almost all conditions.
Red Flame’ is an especially decorative Echinodorus cultivar, selected by the famous breeder Hans Barth sen. (Dessau, Germany) in the 1990s. It reaches a moderate height of about 30 cm and develops a dense rosette of many leaves. Its underwater leaves have an about 10 cm long stalk and a 20 cm long, 10 cm wide blade. Especially the younger leaves show a contrasting pattern of densely set dark-red blotches on bright brown-red to light green ground. Also on older leaves, the spot pattern is still visible. The blotch pattern is stronger and denser than in the similar Echinodorus ‘Ozelot’.
As most sword plants, this cultivar is mostly delivered by the nurseries in its terrestrial (emersed) form, with rather inconspicuous green leaves. Once planted in the aquarium, submerged leaves will appear, showing the full splendour of this plant.
As well as virtually all Echinodorus, ‘Red Flame’ grows best with abundant macro- and micronutrient supply via the substrate. Strong lighting with high red component enhances the intense coloration of the submerged foliage. The water parameters are of subordinate importance, however CO2 supply promotes the growth. Occasionally inflorescences may appear, developing adventitious plantlets.
With its bright coloration and striking pattern, Echinodorus ‘Red Flame’ is a realy eyecatcher in the aquarium. It provides a strong accent in the midground. With its relatively small size it is also suitable for the background of smaller, to about 30 cm high tanks.
Planting Instructions
- Remove the label
- Remove the rock wool together with the plant from the net pot
- Remove the rock wool from the root system , take care not to break or tear the larger roots while doing this
- Plant the stems using tweezers into the substrate
Transitioning process – emersed to submersed growth in your aquarium
- Provide good water conditions for your plants
- Dose a respectable aquatic fertilizer for your plants , follow the instructions from the manufacturer
- Provide the correct lighting spectrum , based on the plants needs
- Prune dead leaves and stems constantly
- A Co2 system is a good addition into your aquarium for the plants to flourish
- Conduct 20-30% water changed once a week to ensure good water conditions
- Patience is key for the transition to take place
In a few days, after placing your plants in the aquarium you will notice some of the leaves start to melt and fall away.
This means the transition process has started. Please note the plants might look DEAD, but they are fully alive, so do not panic. After a few days you will notice new growth will appear and the plant will fully change its form into submersed growth. Continuous trimming and fertilization is needed for the plants to thrive in your aquarium. All plants have specific needs but if you follow the general instructions on our labels the plant will transition well and will eventually succeed and prosper in your aquarium.