Blue Pickerel

Blue Pickerel (Pontederia cordata) is a striking and versatile aquatic plant. Known for its attractive heart-shaped leaves and vibrant blue to violet flower spikes. This hardy plant is well-suited for both beginner and experienced aquarists looking to enhance their aquatic setups.

Planting and Placement

Substrate: Blue Pickerel thrives in nutrient-rich substrates. Use pond soil or a mix of sand and clay to provide essential nutrients. Plant the Pickerel Plant in the substrate, ensuring the crown (where the roots meet the stem) is just above the substrate to prevent rot.

Light Requirements: This plant prefers moderate to high lighting. Adequate lighting promotes healthy growth and vibrant flowers.

Water Conditions:

• Temperature: Pickerel Plants prefer a temperature range between 60°F and 75°F. They can tolerate warmer temperatures but thrive best in cooler conditions.
• pH: They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral water, with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (3 to 12 dGH) is ideal for this plant.

Maintenance

Pruning: Remove any dead or yellowing leaves to promote new growth. Trim flower spikes after blooming to encourage the plant to produce more flowers.

Fertilization: Pickerel benefits from regular fertilization. Use root tabs to deliver nutrients directly to the roots, and supplement with liquid fertilizers to support overall growth. 

Propagation

Pickerel Plants propagate through rhizome division and seed production. To propagate via rhizome division, carefully separate the rhizome into smaller sections, each with several roots and shoots. Replant these sections in the substrate. For seed propagation, collect seeds from mature flower spikes and plant them in a nutrient-rich substrate.