Bucephalandra Melt: Stages of Growth

Are you getting Bucephalandra melt?

Don't throw those rhizomes away! This is common when buce is adjusting to its new surroundings. If you ever end up with a piece with bare rhizome, leave it in your tank emersed or submerged and after several weeks, new leaf growth can occur. For more information on why it could be melting in the first place, check out this article on preventing plant melt.

Many species of Bucephalandra grow on long, thin rhizomes that can sometimes be mistaken as stems. Brownie Blue, Mini Coin, Black Mist, Kedagang Mini, and Velvet 3 Color are all examples of Buce with small to medium sized leaves. All buce leaves will grow vertically off of long rhizomes. 

We will show you the stages of buce growth with some Bucephalandra Black Mist.

Stages of Buce Growth:

Bucephalandra Melt
1. New shoots are just starting to develop along the rhizome. They look like tiny red spikes or roots.

 Bucephalandra Melt

2. The new shoots will get a bit longer and split into reddish-purple leaves.

 Bucephalandra Melt

3. As the new leaves grow taller and larger, they develop to more of a dark green.

 Bucephalandra Melt

4. Here is a fully grown patch of Black Mist:

 Bucephalandra Melt

 Bucephalandra Melt

Note: Dead rhizomes are black and brittle like the part shown on the left side. Even though this side is pretty much dead, new growth can still appear like the healthy portion on the right. 

 Bucephalandra Melt

 Bucephalandra Melt

Remove all dead rhizomes, save the rest! (dead on left, healthy on right)
Trim with UNS Scissors for a clean cut.

 Bucephalandra Me

If you see buce melt please don't get discouraged. Buce will go through stages to become their most beautiful buce selves (just like us). Like we always say when it comes to aquascaping, time and patience is key! 

Tell us - Was this article helpful? Please leave a comment below!

If you have any questions regarding this article, please DM us on Instagram, Facebook, or email support@buceplant.com so we can assist you - @buceplant