Cryptocoryne pygmaea
Cryptocoryne pygmaea (Pygmy Cryptocoryne, Pygmy Crypt)
QUICK NOTES:
Difficulty: Easy Moderate
Type: Rosette
Size: 5 - 20 cm in height
Position and Usage: Midground, Specimen, Background
Growth rate: Moderate
Lighting: 2/5 - 5/5
Water Conditions: 20 - 30° C
CO2: Recommended but not required
Propagation: Runners; splitting; cutting off daughter plants
Emersed Terrarium Use: Cryptocoryne pygmaea grows emersed and submerged in its natural environment and can be easily kept in a terrarium or paludarium. While this plant can get relatively larger when submerged, it remains compact when grown terrestrially and is a fantastic terrarium plant or semi-submerged paludarium plant with its roots submerged and shoots above the water. It requires a humid environment in order to thrive so a moist terrarium, paludarium, or vivarium is a fantastic choice for this handsome and unique plant.
Description
Hailing from the Philippine islands, Cryptocoryne pygmaea is a somewhat newer entrant to the aquarium hobby that deserves your attention. Like all Crypts, Cryptocoryne pygmaea is fairly undemanding and easy to care for - making it a fantastic beginner aquarium plant. Its beautiful foliage, refreshing green coloration along with its uniquely thin stems and sword-like leaves make it a fantastic choice for virtually anyone.
Contrary to its name, Cryptocoryne pygmaea can grow into a medium size Crypt when given the right conditions - making it a great choice as a specimen plant or a uniquely interesting midground or even background plant.
The name Cryptocoryne pygmaea makes more sense when grown emersed as a terrarium plant where it will remain small. Like all Crypts, it can thrive as a terrestrial plant as well as an aquarium plant and is a fantastic addition to any terrarium. It does like a fair amount of humidity and is an absolutely perfect addition to a paludarium or vivarium where its roots can be submerged in water with the rest of the plant growing in the air - bridging the gap between land and water. In this kind of environment, Cryptocoryne pygmaea stays small and compact, true to its name.
More information to come...
