Cryptocoryne 'mioya' - Tissue Culture (AF/UNS)

Plants from the Cryptocoryne genus are also often known simply as "Crypts". They are some of the oldest plants to the aquarium trade, having been kept since the dawn of the modern aquarium in the 1700's. These plants have been known to crossbreed in the wild and hybrids are common as well as a number of variations to individual species.

Crypts can tolerate a wide range of conditions. Most tend to prefer water with a neutral to slightly higher pH and higher hardness but a few prefer slightly acidic water (pH under 7.0). A few species can even survive in brackish (slightly salty) water. They can also grow emerged (out of the water) as well as completely submerged; emerged plants may produce a flower while submerged plants multiple using their root system.

Cryptocorynes are notorious for a condition known as "Crypt Rot" in which the leaves fall off and the plant appears to be "melting". This usually happens after the plant is transplanted or experiences another major change in its environment such as the transition between emerged and submerged growth or a swing in temperature or water chemistry. Though the leaves die off, the roots often survive and the plant may regrow over time.

"Tissue Culture" plants are lab-grown. They are offered in sealed cup and are grown in an artificial media, usually gel-based. This media should be rinsed off before planting and the individual plants can be separated for individual planting and aquascaping. Tissue Culture plants are typically free from nuisances like snails and algae.

Images by Ultum Nature Systems.