How long for plants to take?

[13enzene]

Hey guys. I finally got some live plants for my aquarium. Nothing to special as all I have is a low light tank. I ended up getting some hygrophila difformis (or wisteria) and planted it yesterday in my tank but it is looking droopy. I am just wondering if this is normal or if the plant will pickup and look better after a while. Anyways here is a picture of what it looks like.

 

[rich311k]

It should perk up in a day or two.

 

[KarlTh]

The leaves on that show it's been grown out of water; it may drop its leaves, in which case wait until the far more feathery aquatic leaves have developed, then break off the leafless lower stem and replant the top.

 

[jpappy789]

Looks like it was grown emersed. Might take some time to adjust to being fully submerged.

 

[13enzene]

ok that makes sense but it will not die on me if it does drop it's leaves right, it will just replace them with the feathery ones?

 

[KarlTh]

ok that makes sense but it will not die on me if it does drop it's leaves right, it will just replace them with the feathery ones?

Should do. Problem with these plants is growing emersed is so much easier - lots of CO2, lots of O2 at night, lots of light. I got a bit behind on my trimming lately, and, well, thread with lots of pics to follow...

 

[jbradt]

ok that makes sense but it will not die on me if it does drop it's leaves right, it will just replace them with the feathery ones?

Yep, it'll be fine. It will just take a little while to adjust.

 

[jimangie1973]

The leaves on that show it's been grown out of water; it may drop its leaves, in which case wait until the far more feathery aquatic leaves have developed, then break off the leafless lower stem and replant the top.

I planted the same emersed wisteria a couple months ago. I now have the nice feathery leaves on top but the bottom is still looking ratty so this idea sounds great.

Can you just cut the stem where the feathery leaves start and put the stem in the substrate? If it's that easy, I may do that this weekend.

Jim

 

[KarlTh]

You can cut it wherever you like. It can regrow from any bit of stem; if there's a growing tip it will carry on growing up; if there isn't it will branch. You can make it branch by taking of the top growing tip (apical bud, technically).

 

[jpappy789]

:iagree:

I believe cutting at a node will allow it to continue growing upwards...or I may be just confusing that with something else.