What is max height of a single-stem plant?

[Rocketman]

Hey. I have some Anacharis, (Egeria densia) as well as some bogota in my 60 Gallon Tall. The Anacharis is only a few inches tall, and as the tank is about 22 inches tall, it looks like it has a ways to go. But how high up can a single stem plant grow, while still supporting itself against the current?

Also, another question regarding this anacharis. I now see little thread-like (but stiff) structures dropping straight down from the plant. There looks to be about two to each plant, and they tend to appear along the areas where new plants are growing off the sides. What are they?

This brings me to another question, (and hopefully my last.) What do I do with these new growths? It seems that they are much greener then the plant they sprout from, and as soon as they pop up the 'host' plant starts to stop growing any taller. They are, clearly, the same species of plant, (look like daughters, not a parasite.) If you don't understand what I'm saying, (and I don't blame you,) I will hopefully attach a picture to this thread Sunday Night, (after the game,) or Monday.

[djlen]

I'm pretty sure that they will grow all the way to the top of your tank. The tread-like structures you refer to are probably roots. That's the way that variety of plant grows. You can cut them below the root and plant them in the substrate. I've never had a lot of luck with Egeria. Wish I did because they are great at removing extra nutrients from the water, but mine always go mushy and messy so I gave up on them.
BTW, I'm working on that question you sent me.....you really didn't give me much to go on, and everytime someone tries to sing a song for me to identify, it TOTALLY messes me up. I get the most terrible singers. I'll let you know if I get an answer.
Len

[wetmanNY]

Basically elodea is a floating plant. The stem can elongate many feet outdoors.

[Rocketman]

Whew. I noticed one of my planted Egeria stems had been 'blown out' of the gravel, but was still 'rooted' by those thread-like structures. So, how do I get 'cuts' from this plant(noun) to plant(verb) in other tanks? Those 'branchs' I mentioned - what do I do with them?

[Slappy*McFish]

I have some cabomba that has grown almost the whole length of my 55 before I finally trimmed it back. It grows very fast as well. Probably about 1 to 1 1/2 feet a week in my tank, on avg.

[Faramir]

It does. I'm rather happy at the moment because this is the first time I've got Cambomba to grow.

I used to live in Watford (liquid rock for water) and gave up on it. I moved to Sheffield (softish water) a few years ago but only just got round to giving the plant another go. It is now growing rather well.

Unlike the Vallis, I have to say. But this is not helped by the fact that the damned plec keeps uprooting it. I don't think that rooted plants like Vallis can cope with this as well as stem plants like Cabomba and Egeria.

[Rocketman]

So those cuts I mentioned?

[Faramir]

Just top them and plant the cuttings. The original plant will branch and the new one grow as a new plant.

[FASTRAKR]

What about the "branches"? I have a few different plants in my tank and they have these strings hanging down from them. Am I supposed to do anything with them?

[Faramir]

"strings hanging down" are roots. I always leave them alone.

[TwoTankAmin]

Anachris can only be kept rooted with extremely high light levels, otherwise the part in the gravel rots and the plant floats.

The "threads" are roots and can be left alone or cut off rooted stems depending on what look you prefer.

Stem plants are propagated through pruning and replanting a pruned part. Most when cut will then send out multiple shoots from the cut area. If you want a single stem effect, then you prune the plant in about 1/2, pull up the bottom and discard and replant the top. If you want a more bushy look, then leave the bottem to grow out.