plants reached top of tank...now what?

M

moboe

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Feb 17, 2004
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Greetings,

I'm a very inexperienced live plant newbie. I have several live plants in my 20G community tank that was set up 2/04. Many are growing well, some are not at all. At less than 1watt/gal, I think I know why!

My question is this: my ancharis and hedge (that's what the guy at the lfs called it) have both reached the top of the tank. The ancharis has rooted in the middle...should I break it off at the root and replant it?

The hedge has great roots in the substrate (plain gravel) but is also developing roots 1/4 way up. Should I also cut it off at the new roots and replant it, or is it just something that should be cut off at the top?

Also, I have done NO fertilizing, and none of the plants are in plugs. Is the current success I'm having fleeting until either of the above are employed, or can I expect a certain level of success in my current situation?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Margaret
 
Stem plants can be cut anywhere, from low to mid, to tops and replanted into the substrate. When trying to increase the amount of plants, let them grow tall and then cut into thirds, pull out the old roots and replant the cut sections.
Many stem plants develop what I call 'air roots' along the stems, but it is not necessary to plant them into the substrate. Just about anyplace along the stem will develop it's own roots and grow.
Many plants called 'hedge' that I have seen, are not true aquatic plants, but if yours is doing well perhaps it is a different plant than what I've seen.
All plants have a tremendous ability to store nutrients and many that are freshly bought are loaded with them. After 2 weeks to a month, many of them start to decline if the needed nutrients are not dosed to re-supply them. How soon this need occurs depends, in part, by the number of plants, the amount of light and the number of fish in the tank.

Len
 
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