Hello all!
My last post was about Echinodorus opacus “Goncalo” 2003, today’s post will be about another very special sword plant, Echinodorus “Saturn” 2000. Generally speaking “Saturn” is very similar to opacus, in growth, requirements, popularity, price, etc.

This is another one of the more popular and rare Sword plants in the hobby. The reason for this is it’s limited importation and its very very slow growth. The 2000 on the name denotes, the year that it was imported, at least into Japan. According to my source, there was only one importation of this sword also, just like the opacus from the last post.

A short story behind this plant is that the collector of this specific 2003 variety, never told another person where he collected it, and he actually passed away. So when he passed away, the collection site of this “Saturn” 2000 variety went with him. There are actually two different imported varieties of “Saturn” one in 2000 and one in 2003. The only difference with the 2003 variety is that the leaves are wider.

In terms of price, this variety actually commands a bit higher price than opacus. Not by much, we’re talking about maybe $50-$100 more per plant. Overall we’re looking at approximately $550-600 for a larger specimen.

Just like E. opacus, this sword may not be the most colorful or the most flamboyant in terms of leaf shape, but there is definitely a few characteristics that really make this one stand out from the rest. In my eye at least, the aspects of this Sword that catch my eye are:
1. The plant is a very hard-to-the-touch, it is not a soft and flimsy species.
2. It stays relatively small compared to most other Echinodorus. Whereas most other swords get quite large sometimes massive, I have only seen this one get to about 7-8in. tall and wide.
3. The leaves are long and ovate in shape, about 3-4inch long and 1-2inch wide leaves.
4. Some may see this as a draw back but I see it as a positive. This sword is a very slow grower, typically growing 1 full size leaf in a month, maybe longer. What makes this a positive for me is that it requires little if any trimming or pruning, I just leave it alone and it does its thing! We all know how swords can easily become a massive “light-blocker” or a “running-mess”.
5. This is not a hard Sword plant to grow, it is quite easy, just give it soft (2-3 degrees) and acidic (5-6ph) water.

This is quite another “gem” of a sword for the hardcore plant-collector! Personally opacus is my #1 favorite Echinodorus, but this is firmly my #2 favorite. Hopefully someday you will have the chance to obtain both of these beauties!

Thank you for checking out this post! I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a comment! ☺
Take care all!
Inspire91