More than 25 members and guests came out to enjoy Jebriel Houdroj’s fascinating presentation on Bucephalandra. He shared how to successfully grow Bucephalandra both submersed and emersed, and walked us through key steps in plant preparation, from identifying root and rhizome rot to carefully cleaning plants with soft tools.
Jebriel explained how to influence Bucephalandra colors by adjusting aquarium conditions, showing how deeper reds emerge in acidic water, while neutral to alkaline water brings out stunning blues and purples. He highlighted how critical stable water parameters are for healthy growth, with swings in hardness, nutrients, or TDS leading to leaf melt or dormancy.
In a surprising twist, Jebriel encouraged planting Bucephalandra directly into nutrient-rich aquasoil, busting the myth that the rhizome must always stay fully exposed. He also compared different emersed cultivation methods, recommending circulating water bins over traditional soil-bottomed bins for cleaner setups and healthier plants.
We also learned about Bucephalandra’s unique pollination challenges including the rare production of liquid pollen and the tricky interstice staminodes that help trap pollen during blooming. Jebriel even walked through how to properly dissect a flower to identify different species.
Finally, he closed with an important message about conservation, urging the community to appreciate and cultivate Bucephalandra responsibly to help prevent exploitation and extinction in the wild.
After the talk, everyone had a chance to win donated Oase items in a lively raffle. The day wrapped up with an exciting auction, featuring plant donations from Jebriel and a large low-iron tank generously donated by Nick Kinser.
