Growth patterns signify nutrient deficiencies?

[joe schmoe]

My Hyrgo is growing really long, thin leaves. When the plant was shipped, the leaves were not as long, and wider. And my Rotala is growing more or less horizonally at the base. Is this norbal??

 

[plantass28]

Your lighting seems a little on the low side for these plants doesnt it?

 

[joe schmoe]

I dunno...you tell me. I'm not shy about saying that I haven't the foggiest idea what I'm doing. That's why I read and ask questions. Realize that I'll be adding 2 55W PCs within a month or so...

 

[125gJoe]

joe, how long have your plants been planted and not touched or moved? And, I'm asking how long from the pic you took.. They look good. When did you plant them?

EDIT:
Is that a brand new pic, and new plants? Crypts can't be moved much in order to get them established and thriving..

Excellent pics and nice growth!

 

[joe schmoe]

Brand new pic. The plants have been in place since 11/7. The Crypts are now sprouting a leaf or two every few days, but they remain small...about 2.5". The Crypt you see in the pic was a floater a day or two after the original planting, so I planted it there assuming it would die...and it's hung on. HERE is a huge pic of the bigger Crypt bunch just taken a moment ago (2mb).

Very few of the plants have been moved - anacharis, hornwort, ferns have been moved and only ocassionally.

So the thin leaves on the Hygro are OK??

 

[plantass28]

The rotala looks good from the top to about halfway down, once you get those new pc's I think youll see a huge difference in them.

 

[djlen]

Joe, they look fine. Can't tell much from the pic, but could the Rotala be growing AWAY from a plant that is shading it. They always seek the light. Nice and pink. Look good. You might want to chop them down to a few inches by cutting off the tops and replanting the tops. Pull the roots out and replant the tops in the same area. Poor light penetration is probably the reason for the stunted growth at the bases.
Agree with the above......once you supply more light you should see better results from top to bottom.
Are you using any algae eaters? They would do wonders for your algae on the Crypts. BTW, the Crypts look good too.
What's your fert. program?

Len

 

[joe schmoe]

50% water changes every two weeks. 1 capful of Flourish trace at the end of the week and 1 capful at the end of the 2nd week after the water change. I'll be phasing in Flourish carbon as soon as it arrives from Big Al's.

I've got 3 otos, and 4 Sicyopterus gobies. The gobies (one is at the bottom of the last pic) are the BEST algae eaters I've ever owned. PERIOD. Algae is kept under control in all but a few spots...I'm OK with that.

As for the middle/base of the Rotala...that is damage from shipping. Many of the plant's leaves were damaged...not actually torn, but more like traumatized. Hygro, Rotala, Bacopa, and the plant I don't know the name of on the right of the last pic were affected. They all now are growing...just not in those spots. I guess that's one of the drawbacks to ordering plants online.