Crypts melting

Blinky

Blinky

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Jun 22, 2004
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Ugh! I transferred some large Cryptocoryne wendtii from my 10g to my 65g, and recently purchased some Cryptocoryne undulata, which is also in the 65.
They're ALL melting! The wendtii's were just moved a day or two ago, but the others have been in the tank for longer and are putting out new growth at the same time as the old growth melts away.
There's nothing I can do, is there? As I understand it if they're left undisturbed they'll grow back, even if they lose all their leaves. I sure hope so! Meanwhile, should I remove leaves that show signs of starting to melt, or let them take care of themselves? I don't want to upset the plants further, but at the same time, the idea of them rotting in the tank isn't very appealing.
 
Just leave them alone. Remove leaves only after they've melted. In a few weeks they should be putting on new growth.
Just one of the pitfalls of Crypts., which makes me like them all the more when they are healthy, waxy and spreading.
Hang in there:).

Len
 
I think they are kind of touchy plants. Mine lost almost all its leaves when I first got it, but now that it is rooted, it is really big. I removed the melting leaves so that there was not rotting material in the tank. Just give it time to settle in, and it will probably be fine.
 
Thanks guys :)
I guess I'll leave them be and put on my patient hat ;).
One day they're beautiful, the next they look like they've been through a paper shredder... what strange little plants these are!
 
The larger ones seem to take it the worst. :sad
 
Crypts are strange, aren't they?

I started out with a large red wendtii, which I split up into 4 smaller plants and one large one. The large piece did wonderfully, and so did the others. When I set up my 40 gal. I moved the smaller bunches into that tank and left the large one. The largest bunch in the 40 soon grew as large as the mother plant. About three months ago, the original large plant melted for no apparent reason. It was just starting to grow new leaves when I had to tear down the tanks. I was amazed at the size of the root system! I didn't trim any roots before replanting it, and it is still putting out new growth. I was worried the move might cause it to melt away again, but so far so good. It is coming back very slowly......the 29 only has 1.5 wpg, plus floaters that cut down on the available light, so I think this is why growth is so slow.

I am worried about the ones in the 40 gal. though, as I've noticed a couple of lower leaves melting. I hope they don't completely melt away, but I have a feeling they might.

Just leave them alone and be very patient......if the roots are still there, the leaves will come back eventually.
 
it is weird how they melt - i've never had a complete melting but i get a few leaves here n there - they turn yellowish n the the stem of the leaf gets very thin and sort of melts off the plant! i think it's normal - i jst moved a bunch of mine - while they didnt' melt they looked like a mess at first a week later now n they look almost normal again - their root systems grown very large and impressive indeed - they are my favorite plant i consider them quite hardy
 
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