Origin and Common Names
Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi (Hegelm.) Fassett, also known as Bolander's water starwort, is a subspecies of the aquatic plant species Callitriche heterophylla. It is native to North America, specifically California and Oregon in the United States.Uses
Bolander's water starwort is primarily used for aquatic habitat restoration and as a natural water purifier. The plant is effective in filtering excess nutrients, pollution and sediment from the water and improving overall water quality. It is a suitable plant for use in artificial wetlands or constructed treatment wetlands where natural wetland areas are not available for such purposes.General Appearance
Bolander's water starwort is a small, floating, herbaceous plant that grows up to 2-10 cm tall and has a spreading or trailing habit. The plant has thin, branching stems that are covered in small, bright green leaves that are alternate in arrangement. The leaves of the plant are in the shape of a lance and may be either entire or slightly toothed. The plant also bears small fruits in the form of tiny, green capsules. Bolander's water starwort is commonly found in shallow waters, bogs, ponds, and marshes.Light Requirements
Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi prefers to grow in environments with full sun exposure to partial shade. In areas with ample sunlight, it has the potential to grow faster, but too much sunlight can cause damage to the plant. If it grows submerged in water, it needs access to natural or artificial light to initiate its primary production cycle.
Temperature Requirements
This plant variety can grow in a range of temperature conditions. It is well-suited to colder zones and has been observed thriving in lakes and streams with relatively cold temperatures. However, it can adapt to a range of temperatures as long as the water is not too hot. During summertime, the plant tends to grow larger and faster, but it slows down or even completely stops growing during colder seasons when the temperature drops.
Soil Requirements
Being an aquatic plant species, Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi grows best when it is submerged in water or growing directly in wet soils. The plant prefers to grow in soils that are rich in nutrients, such as those found in riverbeds or lakes, which are considered some of the best locations for its growth. The soil needs to be consistently moist to allow the plant to thrive, and it cannot survive in dry soil environments.
Cultivation methods
Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi (Hegelm.) Fassett is an aquatic plant that requires a shallow and clear water body for its growth. The plant prefers still or slow-moving water in full sun to part shade. The ideal water depth for this plant is between 6 to 12 inches deep. It grows well in both natural and artificial ponds, and also in container water gardens.
Watering needs
Since this plant is an aquatic plant, it does not require any watering once it is planted in the water body. However, the water level should be maintained between 6 to 12 inches deep to support its growth. The plant should not be allowed to dehydrate, as it may affect its growth.
Fertilization
Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi (Hegelm.) Fassett does not require any added fertilizers as it can absorb nutrients from the water in which it is grown. However, if the water body is nutrient-deficient, adding aquatic plant fertilizer can be beneficial for its growth. The fertilizer should be added in the early morning or late evening when the temperature is cooler, and the oxygen level in the water is good.
Pruning
Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi (Hegelm.) Fassett does not require pruning as it is a small plant that grows up to 4 inches in height. However, dead or yellowing leaves should be removed to maintain the plant's appearance and to prevent any further decay in the water.
Propagation of Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi (Hegelm.) Fassett
Callitriche heterophylla var. bolanderi (Hegelm.) Fassett is commonly known as Bolander's Water Starwort. It is an aquatic plant that belongs to the Callitrichaceae family. The plant is commonly found in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams in North America. It produces submerged stems that can root at the nodes and that bear oppositely arranged leaves. The plant is a monoecious species which means it has both male and female flowers on the same plant.
Propagation by Seed
The most effective way to propagate Callitriche heterophylla var. bolanderi is by seeds. The plant produces seeds that ripen in late summer or early autumn. The seeds are small, and they can be collected by placing a mesh bag over the seed head. Once collected, the seeds should be soaked in water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat. After this, they can be sown into a pot or tray filled with aquatic compost. The seeds should be covered with a thin layer of gravel to keep them in place, and the pot or tray should be submerged in water. The water should be at least 5cm deep to ensure the seeds stay moist until they germinate, which usually takes two to three weeks.
Propagation by Stem Cuttings
Another method of propagating Callitriche heterophylla var. bolanderi is by stem cuttings. Select healthy stems with a few leaves from the parent plant, and cut them to a length of about 10cm. Remove the lower leaves, and place the cuttings in a container filled with aquatic compost. The container should be submerged in water, and the cuttings should be anchored to the bottom of the container with some rocks. After placing the cuttings, they should root in about two to three weeks if kept in water at a temperature of around 20 to 25°C.
Propagation of Callitriche heterophylla var. bolanderi is relatively easy and straightforward. Growing it from seeds or stem cuttings is a simple process that can be achieved in a short time. Once established, the plant can be easily moved to a pond or lake where it can continue to thrive.
Disease and Pest Management for Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi (Hegelm.) Fassett
Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi (Hegelm.) Fassett is generally a hardy plant that does not require extensive disease and pest management. However, it may still be affected by a few common diseases and pests, which can be managed using certain measures.
Common Diseases
One of the common diseases that can affect Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew can cause the leaves to become covered in a white, powdery substance, which can stunt the growth of the plant. To manage powdery mildew, the affected areas should be removed, and the plant should be treated with a fungicide. Another common disease is stem rot, which initially causes the leaves to wilt and turn yellow, which eventually leads to the death of the plant. To manage stem rot, it is important to maintain good soil drainage and avoid overwatering. Additionally, the affected areas should be removed, and a fungicide should be applied to prevent further spread.
Common Pests
Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi is not commonly affected by pests, but it may still be susceptible to some. One of the pests that can affect the plant is the aquatic snail. Aquatic snails can feed on the leaves of the plant, causing them to yellow and wither. To manage the pests, the affected leaves should be removed, and the snails should be manually removed from the tank or pond. Another common pest is the water flea. Water fleas can also feed on the leaves, causing them to become distorted and discolored. To manage water fleas, a biological control agent may be used, or the affected leaves should be removed manually.
In conclusion, while Callitriche heterophylla Pursh var. bolanderi is a hardy plant, it is important to monitor it for any signs of disease and pests. By using the appropriate management techniques, the plant can thrive, providing an attractive addition to any pond or aquarium.
