{"title":"Background","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"amazon-sword","title":"Amazon Sword","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sz-acc\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"sz-acc__title\"\u003eAmazon Sword\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-amazon-sword\" checked\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eEchinodorus grisebachii\u003c\/em\u003e (sold as \u003cem\u003eE. bleherae\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eE. amazonicus\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e tropical South America\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e fast, 50 cm or more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight and CO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e low to medium; no CO2 needed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e background centrepiece\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation:\u003c\/strong\u003e plantlets on a runner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-amazon-sword\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmazon Sword (\u003cem\u003eEchinodorus grisebachii\u003c\/em\u003e, long sold as \u003cem\u003eEchinodorus bleherae\u003c\/em\u003e) is a large rosette plant, one that grows its leaves in a ring from a central crown, and it becomes the centrepiece of a tank once established. It is probably the most widely kept sword plant in the hobby and is thought to come from the Amazon region. Its long, broad, pointed leaves are bright to dark green, and a mature plant can exceed 50 cm in both height and width, so it needs space and shades whatever sits behind it. It grows fast for such a big plant in low to medium light without added CO2. Unlike mosses and ferns it feeds mostly through its roots, so it does best in a nutrient-rich substrate or with root tabs, fertiliser capsules pushed into the substrate beside the plant. Nursery plants are grown with leaves in air and often melt back after planting; leave the roots, feed them, and new underwater leaves grow from the crown. It propagates by sending up a long runner with plantlets along it, which can be cut off and planted. The big leaves carry a lot of biofilm, the microbial film shrimp graze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003clabel class=\"sz-acc__row\"\u003e\u003cinput type=\"radio\" name=\"sz-acc-amazon-sword\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeeping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"sz-acc__panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowgrow lists 18–30 °C with 22–26 °C ideal; it tolerates a wide range of hardness and pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e plant the roots deep with the crown, where the leaves meet the roots, just at the surface. Push two or three root tabs in around it at planting and top them up every month or so as the plant grows. Give it a back or side position with room to spread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight and feeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e low to medium light (Aquarium Co-op gives 10–35 PAR). CO2 injection (carbon dioxide gas added to boost growth) is not needed. It is a heavy root feeder, so root tabs or a nutrient-rich substrate are the main feed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sz-acc__rule\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sz-acc__note\"\u003ePlants are sent as a portion or pot, trimmed for transit. Some leaves may melt as the plant adjusts; new growth follows. See our FAQ for planting and acclimation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Shrimp Zone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52845948731704,"sku":"PLACEHOLDER-amazon-sword","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/shrimpzone.com.au\/collections\/background.oembed","provider":"Shrimp Zone ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}