Pennywort Question

[Hollygirl]

Is pennywort propagated by cuttings?

[Bk718]

I guess it can be viewed as propagated by cuttings.. but at the point of where each leaf is, it will form a new runner/stem and keep branching from there.

I started with a handful and after many months have around 10x as much

[Hollygirl]

Thanks! I bought some today and want to be able to cut some for my other tank as well.

[Bk718]

if you add a weight to one side of the plant and let the other float up, it will grow faster since it will want to reach for the light. Also adding co2 and ferts really help its growth but is not really necessary.

[Hollygirl]

If I add a weight to one of the stems will it root in the substrate where it is weighted? The plant is already tall. Here is a picture of it in the left hand corner. The tank was started today that's why all the bubbles.45093

[Bk718]

You can either let it be above substrate if you are worried. I have my bottom tip weighted in substrate and theres no rot. Just make sure not to overtighten the weight.

[Hollygirl]

I don't have any weights on the base. The plant is being held in place by the substrate (Eco Complete and some pebble type gravel). I thought maybe weighing down a stem with some pebbles for it to take root?

[Mgamer20o0]

pennywort can do anything float act as a stem act as foreground.... its really a great plant might want to cut 3-4 inch off to seed your other tanks.

[Hollygirl]

Thanks! I was really excited to find it at the LFS today. He just got it in his stock a couple of days ago.

[wolf13]

probably my favorite plant in my aquarium, I let most of it just float so my greenfire tetra's can sleep in its roots. I have found though, that if it doesn't get enough co2 or light, its an algea magnet.

[Hollygirl]

Thanks for the warning! LOL! How long do you keep your lights on? 2 Otos and 5 SAE's who are currently in my other tank will be going in with the pennywort. Hopefully they'll nip any algae problems in the bud.

[Mgamer20o0]

8-12 hours

[jpappy789]

probably my favorite plant in my aquarium, I let most of it just float so my greenfire tetra's can sleep in its roots. I have found though, that if it doesn't get enough co2 or light, its an algea magnet.

I agree, I love it! Very easy to take care of...

[leocom2000]

Leave it floting if you want a faster growth and no algae settling on it. If algae atarts appearing on the roots, just cut them off. It wil give more in no time. I recently did some trimming and don't know what to do with all that weed. :)

[Hollygirl]

Leave it floting if you want a faster growth and no algae settling on it. If algae atarts appearing on the roots, just cut them off. It wil give more in no time. I recently did some trimming and don't know what to do with all that weed. :)
I assume those projectiles that look like roots after each leaf are indeed real roots. Below that is where I would cut? I want to float some and have some in the substrate as well.

[Bk718]

You can cut anywhere along the main stem.

[Mgamer20o0]

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/mgamer20o0/plantid01.jpg

you can see the roots there.....

[Hollygirl]

I figured those were true roots but wasn't sure. Thanks!

[leocom2000]

If you plant the roots they will develope a large web in the substrate and hold on to the bottom. The underwater leaves will be smaller and more prompt to algae. The floating part will be helthier, bigger, and branch faster. The floating rooots sometimes get too big or get some algae on it. Then I just cut the unwantes parts off. They regrow really fast. It grows faster if floating( did I say that already?). This is the easiest plant I have ever had!!!

[Hollygirl]

I wanted something hardy and was getting tired of hornwort. I like the looks of pennywort too. I think it will work out fine for the tank.

[Bk718]

lets just say i started with
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/4260/1020309bz0.jpg

and 3 months later got this (only showing one bush out of 2 i have) + gave alot to others..
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/5577/1000381nd0.jpg

[Hollygirl]

Nice!

[jpappy789]

Yes, it grows like mad! LOL!

[Notophthalmus]

FYI, in the wild most pennyworts grow in muddy areas that are occasionally submerged in floodplains, wetlands, and along pond margins. They can grow even faster in those conditions; they have to, to keep up with the equally rambunctious buttercups, knotweeds, and other marginals. So if you really want a ton of the stuff, set it up in soggy soil with strong light and watch it explode!

[Bk718]

Noto i think you are referring to the other species, Hydrocotyle Verticillata

[Notophthalmus]

Whoops! You're right, Bk828!

[Hollygirl]

FYI, in the wild most pennyworts grow in muddy areas that are occasionally submerged in floodplains, wetlands, and along pond margins. They can grow even faster in those conditions; they have to, to keep up with the equally rambunctious buttercups, knotweeds, and other marginals. So if you really want a ton of the stuff, set it up in soggy soil with strong light and watch it explode!
Thanks for the tip. I'll do that with some cuttings!

[Hollygirl]

Whoops! You're right, Bk828!
I guess I won't do that with cuttings! LOL! I'm just glad it's hardy.