Marsilea Hirsuta is first of all a medium to High tech plant. In other words, this plant needs an active substrate but it will grow better with CO2.
Marsilea hirsuta is also a carpet-plant from Australia. A fascinating plant, usually delivered with leaves like a four-leaf clover. After a transitional period it develops different types of leaves, possibly a low form with single leaves like a large Glossostigma, or alternatively develop two, three or four-lobed leaves varying in height ,depending on the growth conditions. Whichever form the plant adopts, it forms runners and spreads rapidly round the aquarium.
Planting Instructions for the Marsilea Hirsuta:
- Firstly, take the label off.
- Secondly, remove the rock wool together with the plant from the net pot
- Thirdly, make sure you also remove the rock wool from the root system , take care not to break or tear the larger roots while doing this
- Finally, plant the stems using tweezers into the substrate
Transitioning process
- Emersed to submersed growth in your aquarium
- Provide good water conditions for your plants
- Dose a respectable aquatic fertilizer for your plants , follow the instructions from the manufacturer
- Make sure you have the correct lighting spectrum , based on the plants needs Check out our video on aquarium lights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOvNTyo1RRI&t=34s
- Prune dead leaves and stems constantly
- A Co2 system is a good addition into your aquarium for the plants to flourish
- Conduct 20-30% water changed once a week to ensure good water conditions
- Patience is key for the transition to take place
In a few days, after placing your plants in the aquarium you will notice some of the leaves start to melt and fall away.
This means the transition process has started. Please note the plants might look DEAD, but they are fully alive, so do not panic. Also, after a few days you will notice new growth will appear and the plant will fully change its form into submersed growth. You need to continuously trim and put a fertilizer in for the plants to thrive in your aquarium. Two good fertilizers include Easy Life – Profito and Scape Complete. All plants have specific needs but if you follow the general instructions on our labels the plant will transition well and will eventually succeed and prosper in your aquarium.
Will this plant grow in your tank? We have made a guide to aid in growing/understanding aquatic plants. Check it out >here<. View other plants that will grow in: ( Low Tech | Medium Tech | High Tech | All Plants )
*This is a Potted Plant and NOT a Tissue Culture Plant. This plant was grown in a greenhouse and is NOT guaranteed to be snail, algae or pesticide-free. Potted plants are cheaper than Tissue Culture Plants as they are not grown in a sterile laboratory. They generally appear to be bigger than Tissue Culture plants. We recommend Tissue Culture Plant for 100% client satisfaction.
Kyle (verified owner) –
Always great quality plants from McMerwe as usual.
Karl van der Schyff (verified owner) –
A nice looking slow growing plant.
Andréas Pretorius (verified owner) –
As Piet Uys stated in his review, the only plant that I bought that melted, but the leaves are growing back. This is not an instant stunner, but need patience.
pietuys (verified owner) –
Only plant i bought out of everything that slightly melted, but busy growing back