🌿 Staurogyne sp. 'Porto Velho' – Care Guide
Staurogyne sp. 'Porto Velho' is a rare and striking aquarium plant known for its deep green to bronze-purple tones and compact, creeping growth. It’s a fantastic foreground or low midground choice for aquascapers looking for something different from the usual bright greens.
🔎 Overview
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Scientific Name: Staurogyne sp. 'Porto Velho'
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Common Name: Staurogyne Porto Velho
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Origin: Brazil (Porto Velho region, hence the name)
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Growth Form: Low, creeping or bushy stem plant
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Coloration: Green with a purplish-brown hue under high light
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Height: 5–15 cm (2–6 inches)
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Placement: Foreground to low midground
💡 Care Requirements
🔆 Lighting
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Medium to high lighting brings out bronze/purple hues
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Low light = greener and slower growth
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High light = compact, colorful, and carpet-like spreading
💨 CO₂
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Highly recommended for best form and color
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Grows without CO₂ but more upright and less intense in color
💧 Water Parameters
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Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
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pH: 6.0–7.5
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Hardness: Soft to medium
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Flow: Moderate to good flow encourages healthy structure
🧪 Nutrients
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Benefits from both rich substrate and liquid fertilization
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Responds well to iron and micronutrients for deeper coloration
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Needs a balance of macros (NPK) for steady, dense growth
✂️ Growth & Maintenance
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Growth Rate: Moderate
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Regular trimming encourages spreading and a fuller carpet
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Remove taller shoots to maintain a low, bushy profile
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Tends to grow horizontally under high light + CO₂
🌱 Propagation
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Easily propagated by cuttings
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Snip healthy stems and replant them directly into substrate
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Spreads by side-shoots and stem divisions over time
🪴 Aquascaping Tips
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Perfect for dark foregrounds or contrasting textures
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Great alternative to Staurogyne repens, but with more dramatic coloring
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Pairs beautifully with:
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Bright green plants like Monte Carlo, Eleocharis acicularis
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Red stem plants like Rotala colorata or Ludwigia peruensis
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Hardscape-heavy layouts (rocks/wood) for a moody tone
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