Master the Beauty of Plant Clusters

Colorful stem plants planted in the background of Nature Aquarium – they are essential background plants to bring a bright and vibrant atmosphere to the aquascape. Stem plants can grow as a single stem, but their inherent beauty stands out when they grow in clusters. The special feature of this issue introduces the layout techniques to grow clusters of stem plants to bring out the best of the plants’ stunning perfection. Why don’t you add a bright and colorful touch to your room with an aquascape having lush stem plants?

Appealing Stem Plants

THINK the Beauty of Plant Clusters

Among aquatic plants, there are particularly a wide variety of stem plants. Their greatest attraction is the beautiful colors including bright green and red, which cannot be seen in other aquatic plants. If we look at only a single stem, it is no so impressive, but on the other hand, it stands out when the stem plants thrive in clumps. It is what we call “the beauty of plant cluster”. The trait of growing in clumps is the stem plants’ strategy to occupy a wider area to perform more advantageous photosynthesis. What is interesting is that this trait of stem plants also leads to their fascinating appearance. It is a wonderful idea to grow stem plants in clusters and bring the best of their charm to your layout.

SUIKEI GALLERY 1 “Beauty of Plant Cluster Seen in Lush Background”

What brings out stem plants the most is the dense vegetation. It is overwhelming to see the beautiful clusters of stem plants growing luxuriantly to fill the entire background. This section introduces some aquascapes with gregarious beauty in their backgrounds.

A. Beautiful Clusters Flowing Down the Background

A large clump of Microsorum sp. (Narrow Leaf) is surrounded by thriving Rotala rotundifolia (Green) and Hygrophila Polysperma.
Tank size: W180×D60×H60 (cm)
Shot on: November 2000
Main stem plants used: Rotala rotundifolia (Green) / Rotala Rotundifolia / Hygrophila Polysperma

B. Stem Plants Arranged by Considering Color Effects

Dark red Rotala Macranda is planted slightly off the layout center to the right to keep the balance of the focal point.
Tank size: W90×D45×H45 (cm)
Shot on: December 2003
Main stem plants used: Rotala Macranda / Rotala Rotundifolia / Rotala rotundifolia (Green) / Nesaea pedicellata

C. Stem Plants Arranged Alternately in Different Colors

Red and green stem plants are planted alternately to add a different touch to the background to avoid monotonous aquascape.
Tank size: W240×D60×H60 (cm)
Shot on: October 2009
Main stem plants used: Rotala Rotundifolia / Ammannia gracilis / Nesaea pedicellata / Ludwigia Arcuata / Rotala sp. Nanjenshan

D. Arrangement of Assorted Stem Plants

This layout is composed of stem plants alone from the midground to the background. The assorted stem plants add a cheerful touch to the aquascape.
Tank size: W60×D30×H36 (cm)
Shot on: September 1993
Main stem plants used: Pogostemon stellatus / Nesaea sp. / Ludwigia ovaries / Drymaria cordata / Lagarosiphon madagascariensis / Rotala wallichii / Hemianthus micranthemoides / Didiplis diandra

Source and Copyright of the article/photos - Aqua Design Amano - ADA