Sagittaria subulata (Dwarf Sag)
Sagittaria subulata (Dwarf Sag, Dwarf Sagittaria)
An extremely easy to grow, exceptionally beautiful grasslike carpeting plant. Dwarf Sag is one of the most popular aquarium plants because it grows in virtually all situations and requires neither CO2 or high lighting. Saggitaria subulata is fairly fast growing and spreads prolifically via a system of runners that produce baby plants in a radius around existing plants. This plant grows perfectly well in the most basic of aquarium set-ups while good lighting and CO2 fertilization results in development of very dense, dramatic forests.
QUICK NOTES:
Difficulty: Very easy
Type: Stolon (runners)
Size: 5 – 50cm in height (grows taller in lower light or if overcrowded).
Position and Usage: Extremely versatile plant for aquascaping. Suitable for anywhere from the foreground to background. Can be used in small clumps or as a dense "forest".
Growth rate: Fast
Lighting: 1/5 - 4/5
Water Conditions: 22 - 28°C; pH of 6.5 to 7.5 recommended
CO2: Not required
Propagation: Produces an extensive system of runners that give rise to new plants.
Special Requirements: None - grows in almost all situations. Iron supplementation and a fertile substrate encourages denser growth and the prolific development of runners.
Emersed Growth: Suitable for emersed growth in Wabi Kusa, terrariums and paludariums. Emersed grown plants will generally be shorter with wider leaves and may produce flowers.
Description
Native to freshwater bodies of the eastern North America, Sagittaria subulata is an adaptable and undemanding plant well-suited to beginner hobbyists. Also referred to as ‘Dwarf Sagittaria,’ S. subulata has narrow, grass-like leaves and can be kept as a short and dense carpet in the foreground of a tank. However, in certain tank conditions, this species can surpass 30 cm in height. Low light conditions inhibit vertical growth whereas intense lighting encourages it, as will CO2 supplementation.
Individual specimens may be planted 2 to 4 cm apart. Over time, S. subulata will propagate autonomously through runners and gaps between specimens will fill. These runners can be pinched off and replanted to control or confine the thick, carpet-like growth. If using CO2 supplemetation, we recommend both substrate and water column fertilization as S. subulata will uptake huge amounts of iron, depriving other plants and eventually itself. Symptoms of iron deficiency results in rapidly fade or yellowing leaves but iron addition can quickly reverse these initial symptoms.
