Wysteria in Hibernation

[tackful]

After three years my Aquasoil must have become depleted, because growth rates of everything (Parrot's Feather, Rotola Macondra, and Wysteria) fell off noticeably. Tried to compensate by increased dosing of liquid ferts, but that simply caused a terrible green water problem which lasted for two months. Perhaps without substrate nutrition the plants simply weren't vigorous enough to absorb the extra ferts. I have increased my use of iron root tabs, even doubling the recommended concentration around the Wysteria. At this time the Parrot's Feather and Rotola Macondra are growing well, but the Wysteria barely grows at all. I have read that it requires a rich substrate, which my tank no longer has. Would it be better to simply replace it with something else?
My dosing includes P,K, and N, along with iron, trace minerals, and DIY CO2.

[jpappy789]

I've never needed a rich substrate (just plain gravel) to grow wisteria. In fact, I've had it grow well without needing to dose the water column either.

One thing I have noticed is that it acts weird when something is changed. In my case, recently its growth nearly froze once I stopped injecting DIY CO2 and dosing dry ferts. Now it is starting to grow again, albeit slowly.

It is named Hygrophila difformis for a reason ;)

[timwag2001]

what about trimming? trimming stimulates new growth. have you been cutting it back at all? maybe just a tiny trimming will help.

or your lights. when was the last time you replaced your bulbs? if i'm not mistaken they should be replaced every 9-12 months

[tackful]

Just checked the calendar and it has been 10 months, so I replaced the CF bulb and immediately noticed the increased light output. That's got to help the Wysteria. Thanks.

[plantbrain]

It takes time after the plant has been starved for CO2 to recover, that, not hibernation is what takes longer for plants to recover.
PO4 limitation recovery is dramatic and rapid, CO2 is long and slow.

If the uptake stops rapidly, then the NH4 can increase and low CO2+ high light+ NH4 is an excellent way to induce Green water.

ADA AS + DIY CO2 is not a wise method, use gas tank CO2 if you can afford the ADA stuff. Regulators and such can be bought on line/ebay etc, gas tanks at the local Fire supply shops for 40-50$ for a CO2 tank etc.

Worth every penny.

Regards,
Tom Barr