How to keep Ludwigia Red

[tackful]

I have a few Ludwigia in my heavily planted 29g tank; they are doin ok while everything else is too, but the leaves seem to have lost their redness. I have read that they need root tabs to keep their color. Is this true? If it matters, I keep them short, trimmed down to about 3-4" max. Thanks.

[Bk718]

The more light there is the more color they will gain. Mine once they reach the top of the tank the new growth is a nice shade of red. Whats your lighting? using any ferts/co2?

[tackful]

I have a 55 watt Ah Supply kit and DIY co2. Daily the tank gets macros, micros, and Flourish Excel co2.
Your comment about light reminds me that I did get red leaves on the Ludwigia before my tank became heavily grown out. Maybe they're not getting enough light now

[Bk718]

I have a 55 watt Ah Supply kit and DIY co2. Daily the tank gets macros, micros, and Flourish Excel co2.
Your comment about light reminds me that I did get red leaves on the Ludwigia before my tank became heavily grown out. Maybe they're not getting enough light now

well im not 100% sure on the HIGH light requirement, but a few people did tell me that before when i was questioning why my ludwigia wasnt red. But if theres something thats taller than the ludwigia and is blocking the light maybe thats why its not as red.
How far from the top of the tank is the ludwigia? got pix?

[Sorab]

Its mostly light levels that count, lower nitrates and enough iron also help, I have read, but chances are that it is the lack of light.

[TwoTankAmin]

Um- to which ludwigia are your referring? glandulosa, repens, ovalis or arcuata?

[fjf888]

Mine grow quite well. My setup is 72G, 260W of light, pressurized CO2, regular macro and micro dosing. I grow them tall in the background and they get up to 24" before I trim back some. Your lighting of appox 2W/gallon, esp on an AH supply kit, should be sufficient for them. You say you keep them trimmed to 3-4", that is probably the issue, mine redden up as they grow. Give them a chance to grow out more and you should start seeing red, you could then replant the red cuttings.

Fred

[tackful]

Not sure exactly which type I have. Could someone suggest a site to help with identification? Thanks

[Dwarf Puffers]

I only have 1.3 WPG, and my red ludwigia is almost completely red and has been growing. I don't use ferts or CO2.

[J double R]

you want red in your ludwigia?

iron, iron, iron.

get yourself a bottle of Flourish Iron supplement, and dose as directed.

[jmhart]

you want red in your ludwigia?

iron, iron, iron.

get yourself a bottle of Flourish Iron supplement, and dose as directed.
:iagree:

In most plants, certain nutrient additions or deprevations are the reason for change in color.

For example, in L. Aromatica one needs to deprive the plant of nitrates in order to bring out the red colors. Rotala Macrandra requires an excess of iron for it's red to become prominent. Only a few plants are dependent on light for color. Quite the opposite, more light leads plants to development more chlorophyl, enhancing green pigments.

For ludwigia, an excess of iron will help bring out a red hue.

[Plecosterone]

LIGHT, IRON, and depending on species NITRATE.