It is a floating aquatic plant that, although a priori may seem harmless and very pretty, has a huge destructive potential as an invasive plant in certain environments. The so-called water lily or water hyacinth has been used and is used on many occasions for the decoration of water gardens or small ponds, but without the necessary maintenance and vigilance, it can cause serious damage to the environment. Learn all about Water Hyacinth Care in this article.
Characteristics of the Water Hyacinth
Apart from camalote plant, there are many other names for this aquatic plant: water hyacinth, water violet, water lily, water lily, water lily, bora flower, and its scientific name is Eichhornia crassipes.
1- It is a floating aquatic plant, whose roots float in the aquatic environment instead of being fixed to a substrate. Thus, the river water hyacinth develops forming groups or islets that float together on the aquatic surface, being able to be moved to enormous distances with the natural flows of the water.
2- In ideal conditions, with high temperatures and nutrient-rich waters, it can reach heights of more than one meter with short roots, while, if there is a shortage of food, the plant reverses its priorities and concentrates its energies on developing a more extensive root system, leaving a smaller aerial part.
3- Why can the water hyacinth float in water? One of the most striking adaptations of the water hyacinth is its stem, which is what allows it to float easily. When we look at what the stem of the water hyacinth looks like, it is very striking to see the enlarged part that forms near its source, with an oval or swollen shape that may remind us of tubers or tuberous roots. However, in the case of the water hyacinth, this is nothing more than a hollow part that functions as a floating organ and allows the plant to float, despite the considerable size it can reach.
4- Water hyacinth flower is also striking, very showy, and of great ornamental value. The inflorescences appear in spikes of flowers of lilac or violet tones very appreciated, which is why the plant is often used in water gardens or ponds.
How to Propagate Eichhornia crassipes
Water hyacinth propagates both sexually and asexually. Like all flowering plants, they reproduce sexually by pollination. However, its most numerous and dangerous method of propagation is the asexual reproduction that the plant carries out laterally by stolons.
Stolons are a type of specialized stems for plant reproduction, which grow laterally when the temperature is high and conditions are ideal, giving rise to new plants at high speed, forming in a very short time islets on the surface of the water.
Water Hyacinth Care
Temperature: this type of plant should have a temperature between 59°F and 86°F. During cold seasons, it is important to protect them from frost as they do not tolerate low temperatures and may die.
Water: in case you are going to plant a hyacinth in a pond or natural pool, it is necessary that the place contains calm water or water with little current. You can also plant this flower in a bulb vase.
Lighting: Water hyacinths should be placed in full sun, as they need plenty of light to bloom.
As one of the most invasive plants in the world, it is essential to growing very few, as they multiply too quickly to cover the entire surface, potentially killing other plants or organisms in the ecosystem.
When Does Water Hyacinth Bloom
Here are some tips on how to care for a water hyacinth at home and make it bloom.
1- For about 4 weeks, place the vase with the plant in it in a dark area with a temperature between 39.2°F and 55.4°F (such as a basement or refrigerator) until the top of the bulb has grown little.
2- It is also important that during this process, you change the water of the hyacinth twice a week so that it can fully bloom.
3- Once the 4 weeks have passed, place the vase in a warm area (with a temperature between 50°F and 60°F). You should leave it in this place for a week or so until the leaves of the water hyacinth turn green.
4- Finally, for the plant to finish flowering, move the vase back to a much warmer area (with a temperature of approximately 65°F).
