Range and localities [?]: Canada, USA (east, southeast), Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Colombia
Lobelia cardinalis, the cardinal flower, is a true American, a native plant originally found in the eastern and central regions of the United States on moist ground alongside rivulets, ponds and road ditches. Its emersed form sports green leaves with a purple underside and attractive scarlet bell-shaped flowers, which make it a very popular and beautiful ornamental plant in its land of origin. The submersed plant is of a light green, though. L. cardinalis has been used for Dutch-style aquaria for a long time, and is quite widely spread in trade.
L. cardinalis is an easy plant to care for. Lighting should be moderate at least, whereas higher wattage results in more compact, lusher growth. CO2 injection is not necessary, but still recommendable for strong healthy growth. Regular doses of liquid fertiliser are a means to determine the plant's overall size. A nitrate level of 10-20 mg/l and a phosphate level in the range of 1-2 mg/l as well as sufficient micronutrients and iron lead to fast, vital growth. Under these conditions, L. cardinalis will throw the most lateral shoots.
This uncommon stem plant only grows to the water surface at a moderate rate. It also tends to grow a large number of white roots on the nodes of its stems. This can be hidden if the plant is cut back carefully. Trimming is done by cutting off shoot tips, which can be re-planted. If you want to create a "plant street" with this Lobelia you ought to gradually shorten the intervals between trimming.
Its rather slow growth and well-controllable height makes L. cardinalis highly suitable for Dutch-style Leiden tanks, where it is frequently used for the creation of so-called streets. Its size and its unique leaf structure make it an excellent choice for hobbyists who want to create a rather formal layout.
L.obelia cardinalis is quite easy to keep. The lighting should be at least of medium strength, although higher wattages result in more compact, lusher growth. Fertilisation with CO2 is not necessary, but is nevertheless recommended for vigorous growth. Regular doses of fertiliser via the water column determine how large the plant ultimately becomes. A nitrate level of 10-20 mg/l and phosphate in the range of 1-2 mg/l, together with sufficient micronutrients, lead to the fastest, lushest growth. L. cardinalis then also produces the greatest number of side shoots.
This unusual stem plant grows towards the water surface at only a moderate pace. It also tends to produce many white roots at the stem nodes, which, however, remain hidden if the plant is carefully pruned. This plant should be pruned by cutting off the shoot tips and replanting them. If you want to create a “plant street” with the cardinal flower, as is characteristic of the Dutch style, you cut the tips at increasingly shorter intervals.
References and further reading:Because of its rather low growth rate and controllable height, Lobelia cardinalis has often been planted in Dutch aquariums to create the so-called "Leiden streets". Its size and unique leaf texture make it an excellent choice for aquarists who wish to create a rather formal layout.
References and further reading:
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