View Full Version : Rotala Indica
lovemybarbs
09-01-2008, 8:33 PM
I'm getting pink leaves. Should I expect more??
Please ignore the camera hog barbs.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/vburnau/DSC01635.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/vburnau/DSC01636-1.jpg
Pink undersides is normal, especially with good lighting.
lovemybarbs
09-01-2008, 9:23 PM
None of the older growth has it. This stuff grows fast. I'll be able to make me a little shrub of it in no time.
hmm whats your lighting? the leaves are really broad for a rotala indica, not saying its not it, just curious as to why its so broad. (perhaps lower than usual light?)
hmm whats your lighting? the leaves are really broad for a rotala indica, not saying its not it, just curious as to why its so broad. (perhaps lower than usual light?)
Thats true I never really looked at the picture, R. indica are really narrow pointed leaves with a pink underside.
lovemybarbs
09-02-2008, 7:55 AM
I just bought it on Saturday. I wouldn't be surprised if it was marked wrong. I have the little marker right here.
When I googled the plant, I got all sorts of different plants and plantgeek said it is often marked incorrectly.
My light is a coralife 130 watt light.
I saw give it some time. The older leaves on the plant look like they are the emersed form of the rotala. You can slowly see the new top leaves narrow out a bit. Provide good lighting and you will have the plant turn a nice pink hue
severum mama
09-02-2008, 9:51 AM
When I saw your pic I was thinking that the plant looks more like some kind of ludwigia... But I'm no good with ID so don't be surprised if I'm wrong. ;)
If it's ludwigia, I'm not sure how well it will do long term... Mine didn't fare so well in a 55 gallon with the same light you have, even after I replaced the bulbs. Hopefully you will have better luck with it than I did!
lovemybarbs
09-02-2008, 10:44 AM
I think I'm going to ditch my air stone. It bubbles and splashes a bit on the glass hood and then I get this big patch of calcium buildup or even algae only in the spot that it bubbles. Therefore, the light can't get through very well. I have to clean the left side of the glass every month at least because it gets nasty. The other side still looks pretty good.
I tried turning it down, but it's not helping that much.
jpappy789
09-02-2008, 10:59 AM
Hmmmm...I agree it does look more like ludwiga than rotala...
Bk828
09-02-2008, 11:38 AM
That doesnt really look like ludwigia, ludwigia has leaves that are more of a tear shape, these are round. If anything the lower leaves resemble Moneywort or some bacopa.
But im still going with the plant being Rotala just it was sold in emersed form.
Heres my rotala from a while back. Notice also the round leaves. Eventually the plant switched over to submerged form and gave out narrower leaves
http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/7656/1020311ly4.jpg
BK you were right about the round leaves being the emersed form. When it is in a marsh setting the leaves are green and round, but become pointed and pinkish submerged. Which makes sense, since it is a newly purchased plant.
lovemybarbs
09-02-2008, 7:17 PM
Where I bought them, they keep their plants in shallow long tubs with a filtration system. They were submerged, but the water isn't that deep.
Where I bought them, they keep their plants in shallow long tubs with a filtration system. They were submerged, but the water isn't that deep.
most petstores get their plants from nurseries which grow their plants in emersed/semi-submerged form, most of the time in a green house type of environment. Reason they do that is to prevent any algae growth.
lovemybarbs
09-02-2008, 10:20 PM
It's growing quickly. It will be at the top of the tank in no time.
Bk828
09-02-2008, 10:27 PM
It's growing quickly. It will be at the top of the tank in no time.
once it does, cut it at the point where the emersed changed to submerged. Throw away the bottom and replant the top.
And the trim following that leave the bottom since that will give you new stems and give the plant a bushy look.
I learned something new.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32083931@N00/389525467/
Q
lovemybarbs
09-04-2008, 7:22 PM
:eek: I can see it now.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/vburnau/DSC01639.jpg
lovemybarbs
09-27-2008, 6:56 PM
Just an update. It reached the top of the tank and I made clipped and weighted down the new. Here's a pick:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f163/vburnau/DSC01659.jpg
Rotalla is such a nice plant to work with. It's hearty and versatile. Pinching off seems to be the best method of trimming this plant. Using scissors creates a lot of floating debris. Using tweezers to plant the trimmings works well for me. If you watch this plant grow from week to week you will get a feel for how to trim it. I prune about 1/3 of the total number of rotalla in any area I prune. I prune the longest parts down to below where I want the average height to be. The reason for this is at any given time 1/3 will be below the average height, 1/3 will be at the average height and 1/3 will be taller. This mix makes the plant look more pleasing to the eye and less like you just mowed the lawn. This stuff can fill in thickly and if this happens it can choke out the light to the lower levels of the plant. You may find when pruning that you need to pull entire strands out. It's easy for this stuff to get out of control but when maintained properly adds a lot of beauty to an aquascape.
Q