Alternanthera reineckii ‘Ocipus’
Alternanthera reineckii ‘Ocipus’
QUICK NOTES:
Difficulty: Moderate
Type: Stem
Size: Individual stem height of 10 – 30cm, width of 3 – 7cm
Position and Usage: Midground to background placement
Growth rate: Moderate
Lighting: 3/5 - 4/5
Water Conditions: 22 - 28°C
CO2: Supplementation recommended but not required
Propagation: Cuttings
Special Requirements: Iron supplementation
Description
A rarer cultivar variant of the Alternantha reineckii species, Alternantha reineckii ‘Ocipus’ is a sought-after ornamental specimen native to South America. Under intense lighting, the elliptical or lance-shaped leaves will adopt deep red hues, effectively warming your aquascape. Leaf undersides will likely remain a cool pink or salmon in color.
You may trim this plant to affect bushier growth, and clippings may be planted into the substrate to induce new propagative clusters. CO2 supplementation may not be necessary for cultivation but will enhance leaf vibrancy and growth. Substrate fertilization will also stimulate growth as A. reineckii “Ocipus” may require an iron-rich substrate to thrive.