| Care Level: | Moderate |
| Lighting: | Medium |
| Placement: | Background |
| Maximum Length: | 1' 6″ |
| Water Conditions: | 72-82 F, pH 6.5-7.5, KH 3-8 |
| Propagation: | Adventitious Shoots, Seeds |
| Coloration: | Green,Tan |
| Supplements: | Iron, CO2 Supplementation |
| Origin: | East Asia |
Characteristics
Cryptocoryne crispatula, is also known as the Balansae plant. This plant has very long, thin leaves with ruffled edges and relatively short stems. This plant is amphibious, and when grown out of the water, the leaves will shorten, lose the ruffle, and take on a rounded appearance.
Water Conditions
72-82° F
KH 3-8
pH 6.5-7.5
Care
The Balansae Plant requires a moderate amount of attention to maintain it prefers moderate lighting. These plants benefits from regular additions of CO2, iron rich fertilizers, and trace elements. Balansae Plants can develope a condition known as "Crypt Rot" in which the leaves fall off and the plant appears to be "melting". This usually happens after the plant is transplanted or experiences another major change in its environment such as the transition between emerged and submerged growth or a swing in temperature or water chemistry. Though the leaves die off, the roots often survive and the plant may regrow over time.
Propagation
Reproduction within this species is by adventitious plants, or by seed. When grown emerged (out of the water) plants may produce a flower while submerged plants multiple using their root system. Allow the new plant to form its own leaves prior to separating it from the mother plant.
