Confused Amazon Swords

Looks like emergent growth leaves to me.
Wow! What is the smaller red sword with striping? :eek: That's gorgeous!! I've haven't seen a rubin with striping like that!
 
Thanks!!! The smaller red sword is my red rubin - Echinodorus 'Rubin'. It is still a "baby" but growing like wild fire. Well, at least that is what I purchased - as for it being that, I do not know exactly. Further, this plant is VERY durable. When all other plants had issues - this one keeps growing and growing.

I am glad that it is just the emmersed leaves dying off. Yah, I dont feel horrible for killing yet another plant ;)


Thanks again for the help!!!!

Aries
 
You should wait and see but if the problem still exists then there may not be enough iron in the water. Swords need it. Also little is known about this but Amazon Swords compete with each other like some fish. The release a hormone that will stop other swords from eaching their full potential. If you have many, they will all stay the same size. If one gets larger than the others, they will stop others from growing large.

thePlantMan cometh.................
 
Well THAT makes sense. Why would a plant produce offspring just so it could suppress it's growth :confused:
Or are you referring to other species???
 
Key Quote!!!!! AMAZON SWORDS DO REALLY WELL WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE IN THE TANK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Try it and see. One amazon in a community tank and multiple swords in the same size tank with fish and identical environments.

thePlantMan goeth away..............
 
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If they do not grow in size, that is fine by me. Any larger and they will be growing out of the tank.

Is this true for all swords because I have had two red rubins that are growing well with out any issues with each other.

There may not be enough iron at times, but I monitor it closely to make sure it is between .5 and 1.0 ppm (on the higher side).

UPDATE: One sword is producing its submersed only leaves. I trimmed all the dead ones off. The second one is half submesed and half emersed. The last one is just begining its sumbermersed leaves and still has most of its emersed leaves. They all seem to be doing fine - at least for now.

The whole hormone issue is causing me some concern. I guess I will find out pretty soon.

Thanks!!

Aries
 
Have you ever seen and Amazon Sword reach its full potential? 40-60 Leaves! Not to worry about the hormone thing, if you want everyday ordinary swords. Have you ever seen Red Rubins reach their full potential?

thePlantMan cometh..................
 
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