New plant to hobby - Staurogyne sp.

[George Farmer]

Tropica asked me to test out a few new plant species they had in the pipeline last year. I was pretty excited!

For me, Staurogyne sp. is the most interesting plant I've seen in a long time - since downoi IMHO.

It's an ideal foreground for larger tanks, or mid and background for nanos.

Demands are relatively low. I've grown it in a variety of condition from medium light, non-CO2, to 6wpg, 30ppm CO2, daily NPK etc.

Growth rates are pretty slow, even in high light/nutrients, so it's ideal for longer term 'scapes. Despite its slow growth, algae doesn't present a problem.

It does better in a nutrient-rich substrate. The best growth I've had is in ADA Aqua Soil.

I think this may make a big impact in the planted tank and aquascaping hobby. I've used it effectively in a variety of aquascapes, including my ADA contest entry...

Here's a few shots taken from my nano -







And the official release via the Tropica website -

Tropica

[Anti-Pjerrot]

I have also tested this plant from tropica and found the same as you George. This is one plant that has a lot of possibilities. Like the Pogostemon helferi (Downoy) it creeps above the bottom with a stemlike rhizome (Not a true rhizome i belive) and puts down plenty of strong roots along the stem. From this stem little tops of leafs appear. This growth is similar to anubias and P. helferi, but the plant is much more adabtable to different conditions.

I belive its a big bottomfeeder as ive had more root growth in Elos Terra (nutrient rich), than in regular inert gravel with liquid ferts dosing.

Thanks for the nice photos George.

[waterfaller1]

Beautiful! I can't wait to see the updated photos of your tank!

[Orlando]

Why do you tease us! George what will it cost me to have you send some our way?
Please

[Guillermo]

Thanks for sharing your test George, looks like this plant will have great acceptance in the aquascaping community, I'd love to have some, but I'm afraid it will take ages until I can put muy hands on it .... in Mexico we have to wait a long long time to have new plants.

Regards

[papillon]

lovely looking plants George! are they not yet in the market?

[jeff120]

Dont tease me like that George! This looks similar to what we are calling low grow Hygrophilia.

[landstrykeren]

A very good looking plant!

[fishman9809]

omg!!!! I have this plant. According tot tropica, it is a new plant, but in the US, they have a different name for it, Hygrophila sp. 'Porto Velho'. It is very rare. And expensive

[Jdinh04]

Love the plant George I think it'd be a nice foreground plant.

[John N.]

Originally Posted by jeff120

Dont tease me like that George! This looks similar to what we are calling low grow Hygrophilia.

Yup, I couldn't agree more. It really looks like Hygrophilia. I want some!

-John N.

[jasonepley]

Great plant, any time frame when we can start seeing them show up in our aquariums?

[ERiK]

Originally Posted by fishman9809

omg!!!! I have this plant. According tot tropica, it is a new plant, but in the US, they have a different name for it, Hygrophila sp. 'Porto Velho'. It is very rare. And expensive

I've done a bit of research on this, and don't believe H. "Porto Velho" is Staurogyne sp. Seems like H. "low grow" is a closer fit. Anyone else in the US chime in on this?

[fishman9809]

yes, i learned otherwise, the plant is a very different look, but both have similar traits.