Aldrovand bubble
Aldrovanda vericulosa
In our country aldrovanidu can be seen in the reservoirs of the central part, in the Caucasus and the Far East.
Aldwardand has an amazing external appearance. It lacks roots, and a thin weakly branching stem, 0.7-1.0 cm in diameter, with numerous leaves freely floats in water there are whorls of 7-9 leaves, the wide, flattened petioles of which narrow to the top and end with a bundle of protruding bristles. The length of the petiole is greater than that of the leaf blade, and reaches 1.0 cm. The bristles prevent spontaneous closing of the leaf, which can be caused by movement of water. The number of whorls on one plant varies from 12 to 19, new whorls are constantly forming at the top of the plant, and old ones die at the base. The speed of formation of young whorls under optimal conditions is 1-2 per day. The total length of the plant is 8-15 cm.
The leaf blade consists of two symmetrical semicircular lobes at an angle to each other, the width of each lobe is 5-7 mm, they are bent along the central vein. The edge is covered with sharp hairs, which number up to 20 pieces on each side. Closer to the center of the leaf are the glands that secrete sticky liquid, digestive glands and sensitive hairs. Small aquatic organisms - crustaceans, infusoria-shoes and others - touch the hairs, and the leaf-trap is closed within 0.02 seconds.
In the process of photosynthesis, oxygen bubbles are released that cause the "victim" to be near the central vein where the bulk of the digestive gland is located. The trap remains closed from a few hours to several days.
In the upper part of the plant there are elegant wide-open five-petalled flowers with white or pinkish shiny petals, the edges of which are adorned with a gentle border of pale yellow-lemon color.
There are varieties with a purple color of the leaves.
Courtship. Aldrovandha is a plant not for beginners and is quite complex in cultivation. It is grown in aquariums or transparent plastic containers with a depth of 20-30 cm. It is necessary to provide intensive lighting. For watering use soft water, pH 5.6-6.8, the temperature is maintained at 25-28 ° C, if you want the plant to bloom, it must be raised to 29-30 ° C.
English experts recommend mixing water with a small amount of peat, and then filter. The amount of nutrients in the water should be small, especially the content of phosphorus and nitrogen. A small amount of leaf land is poured onto the bottom of the container.
Aldrovanda "gets along well" with such species as iris and sedge. Very impressive looks aldrovand in wide containers with a large water surface.
Propagation of aldrovanids mainly in shoot sites, lateral branches often spontaneously break off. In natural conditions, before the onset of the dormant period, at the ends of the branches, wintering buds are formed, which experience unfavorable conditions on the bottom of the reservoir.
Seeds are formed in very small quantities and have reduced germination.