{"product_id":"bolbitis-root-tree-bolbitis-heudelotii-freshwater-plant","title":"Bolbitis Root Tree (Bolbitis heudelotii)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBolbitis Root Tree\u003c\/strong\u003e is a ready-made centerpiece: \u003cem\u003eBolbitis heudelotii\u003c\/em\u003e, the African water fern, already growing on a branching piece of natural root wood. Its deeply cut, translucent dark green fronds spread from the branches like a small underwater tree, giving a planted tank instant height and a mature, established look without any tying or gluing. Bolbitis is slow growing and long lived, and it asks for only one thing most plants do not: steady water flow. Each piece is natural, so the shape of the wood and the fullness of the plant vary from tree to tree. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003efreshwater aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow matters most:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bolbitis grows on rocks and wood in fast African streams. Place the tree where the filter outlet or a small powerhead keeps water moving across the leaves. In still water it tends to stall and collect algae.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to moderate. Strong light without CO2 usually just grows algae on the leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not required. CO2 and good fertilizer speed up its otherwise slow growth and keep the fronds a deeper green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNever bury the rhizome:\u003c\/strong\u003e The creeping stem must stay exposed on the wood. Its roots will grip the branches on their own over time. A rhizome pushed into substrate rots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e It feeds from the water column, so a liquid all in one such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e is more useful than root tabs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSettling in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Newly moved Bolbitis often drops or browns a few older fronds while it adjusts. Trim those at the base and leave the rhizome alone; new growth follows within a few weeks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe wood:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural wood can leach a little tannin tint at first. Rinse it before placing it and let your normal water changes clear any tint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBolbitis Root Tree (African Water Fern on root wood)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eBolbitis heudelotii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRhizome fern, attached to natural root wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eEasy, slow growing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNot required, helps growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Flow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerate to strong preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMidground or centerpiece\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSold as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOne root tree, plant already attached; shape and size vary\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;background:#F1F8E9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003ePlacement and Companions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse the tree as a focal point in the midground, or tuck it into hardscape where the filter current sweeps past. It pairs naturally with other epiphytes like anubias and java fern, and its layered fronds give shrimp, small tetras, and rasboras shaded cover. Plant-safe grazers such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e help keep the broad leaves clean. Avoid large plant-eating fish like silver dollars and most goldfish, which shred soft fern fronds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e, a comprehensive liquid fertilizer for rhizome plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-excel\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Excel\u003c\/a\u003e, a liquid carbon source for tanks without CO2.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-glue-cyanoacrylate-aquascaping-adhesive\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Glue\u003c\/a\u003e, for attaching extra ferns or anubias to the wood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bolbitis-heudelotii-african-water-fern-potted\"\u003eBolbitis Heudelotii, Potted\u003c\/a\u003e, to add more of the same fern elsewhere in the scape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-on-driftwood\"\u003eAnubias on Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e, a slower, even hardier companion piece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the plant already attached?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. The Bolbitis is growing on the root wood, so it is ready to set in the tank after a rinse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it look exactly like the photo?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo two trees are the same. The wood is natural and each plant is a different size, so the photo shows the style of piece rather than the exact one you take home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are some leaves turning brown?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBolbitis often sheds a few older fronds after a move. Trim them off at the base. If browning continues, add more water flow and a liquid fertilizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the wood float?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIt may float briefly until it is waterlogged. Wedge it into rock or hardscape for a day or two until it stays down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49320958853339,"sku":"8878840","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image-coming-soon-shopify_45a4270a-9114-4e95-8b3e-4de77a2216a3.png?v=1789636159","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bolbitis-root-tree-bolbitis-heudelotii-freshwater-plant","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}