🌿 Bolbitis heteroclita 'Asiatica' Care Sheet
Also known as Asian Bolbitis or Creeping Bolbitis. A semi-aquatic fern—not a true aquatic species. Most suitable for emersed or terrarium use.
🐠 Aquarium Care (with caveats)
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Low to medium; avoid direct strong light in submerged form |
| CO₂ | Not required, but helps in transition/acclimation |
| Substrate | Epiphyte — do not bury rhizome; attach to wood or porous rock |
| Water Temp | 20–26°C (Avoid long exposure above 28°C) |
| pH Range | 5.5–7.0 (acidic preferred) |
| Hardness | Soft water (GH 1–6) |
| Growth Rate | Very slow submerged; better emersed |
| Placement | Shaded low-tech tanks, or above water in paludariums |
| Submerged Survival | Temporary — not a long-term submersed plant; tends to rot after weeks/months |
🔎 NOTE: Submerged growth often leads to melting, black rhizomes, and loss of leaves. Best kept emersed with roots in water but foliage in high humidity air.
🌱 Terrarium / Paludarium Care (Ideal environment)
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Low to medium; indirect sunlight or filtered LED light |
| Humidity | 80–100% (high humidity critical) |
| Temperature | 18–26°C ideal; max 28°C |
| Substrate | Rhizome above substrate; roots can anchor in moist moss, LECA, or bark |
| Watering | Keep base moist; mist leaves regularly |
| Air Circulation | Gentle airflow needed to prevent mold; avoid stagnant enclosures |
| Growth Habit | Creeping rhizome with slow upward frond growth |
| Propagation | Rhizome division only (stem cuttings not viable) |
🌱 Best Use in Terrarium: Background creeper on wood, rocks, or mossy walls. Excellent for riparian zones and foggers.
⚠️ Watch For:
| Symptom | Cause |
|---|---|
| Melting in aquarium | Over-submersion; needs air exposure and less waterlogging |
| Blackened rhizome | Poor water flow, rot due to over-buried rhizome or too wet substrate |
| Browning fronds | Too much direct light, low humidity, or nutrient deficiency |
💡 Extra Notes for Cultivators / TC Use
Bolbitis heteroclita asiatica is notoriously slow-growing, especially in vitro.
Best started from rhizome segments or spores under controlled humidity.
Responds best to low cytokinin media; consider adding activated charcoal to reduce phenolic browning.
✅ Summary
| Aquarium Use? | Temporary only (submersed growth unsustainable long-term) |
|---|---|
| Terrarium Use? | Highly suitable — thrives in high humidity, low-light enclosures |
| Paludarium? | Perfect — root in water, fronds in air 🌧️ |