{"product_id":"mini-bolbitis-bolbitis-heteroclita-difformis-potted-freshwater-plant","title":"Mini Bolbitis (Bolbitis heteroclita 'Difformis') - Potted","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\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMini Bolbitis\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBolbitis heteroclita\u003c\/em\u003e 'Difformis') is a dwarf fern with finely divided, lacy fronds that stays only a few inches tall. It gives rock work and driftwood in a small tank the feathery fern texture that full-size Bolbitis brings to a big one, at nano scale. Like other rhizome plants it lives on hardscape rather than in the substrate. It is easy to keep alive in low light, but it grows very slowly underwater and takes patience while it adjusts, so we rate it intermediate. Browse our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e to plan around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\u003eNever bury the rhizome.\u003c\/strong\u003e Attach it to rock or driftwood with cotton thread, fishing line, or a small dab of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-glue-cyanoacrylate-aquascaping-adhesive\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Glue\u003c\/a\u003e. A buried rhizome rots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnpot it first.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove the pot and tease away as much rockwool as you can without tearing the fine roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt arrived grown above water.\u003c\/strong\u003e The pot is grown emersed, where the fronds are larger and lacier. Underwater, new fronds come in smaller and a little coarser, and some older fronds may die back during the switch. Trim those off and leave the plant alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e low to moderate. Strong light mostly feeds algae on its slow-growing leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e helpful but not required. It noticeably speeds up an otherwise very slow grower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e it feeds from the water, so skip root tabs and use a liquid such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 68 to 82°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Clean water and gentle to moderate flow keep debris and algae off the fronds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e very slow underwater. Expect weeks between new fronds, not days. Divide the rhizome once it has several growing points.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBolbitis heteroclita\u003c\/em\u003e 'Difformis' (syn. \u003cem\u003eEdanyoa difformis\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eMini Bolbitis, Bolbitis Difformis, Baby Leaf Bolbitis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eRhizome fern\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight requirement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eLow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eHelpful, not required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eForeground or midground, attached to rock or wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e2 to 4 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eVery slow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater temperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e68 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\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;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eDivide the rhizome\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003ePhilippines\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSold as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eOne potted plant, grown emersed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\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\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it goes:\u003c\/strong\u003e on small stones, the base of driftwood, or in gaps in rock work, in nano tanks and in the foreground of larger ones. It also grows well out of water in a humid paludarium or riparium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther rhizome plants we carry:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bolbitis-heudelotii-african-water-fern-potted\"\u003eBolbitis Heudelotii\u003c\/a\u003e is the full-size African fern for larger tanks, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-fern-windelov-microsorum-pteropus-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eJava Fern Windelov\u003c\/a\u003e gives a similar lacy, forked look in a faster, easier plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFish and invertebrates:\u003c\/strong\u003e safe with shrimp, snails and small community fish. Shrimp such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e are welcome, since they graze algae off the slow-growing fronds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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-glue-cyanoacrylate-aquascaping-adhesive\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Glue\u003c\/a\u003e: gel glue for attaching the rhizome to hardscape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e: a liquid fertilizer, since this plant feeds from the water column.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e: algae grazers that help keep slow plants clean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-fern-windelov-microsorum-pteropus-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eJava Fern Windelov\u003c\/a\u003e: a faster lacy fern for the same kind of spot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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\u003eWhy is it growing so slowly?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThat is normal for Mini Bolbitis underwater. It can take a month or more to settle in and put out new fronds. CO2 and steady liquid fertilizer help.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do the new leaves look different from the pot?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe nursery grows it above water, where the fronds are bigger and lacier. Underwater fronds are smaller. Both are the same plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I plant it in the substrate?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNot the rhizome. Tie or glue it to rock or wood, and let the roots find their own grip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from Bolbitis Heudelotii?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSize and speed. Heudelotii is a large fern for big tanks. Mini Bolbitis stays a few inches tall and suits nano tanks and foreground rock work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48878315339995,"sku":"PPFMINI","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_44852fda-0866-4830-a296-7e84510ec998.png?v=1781535272","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mini-bolbitis-bolbitis-heteroclita-difformis-potted-freshwater-plant","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}