How to trim foreground weeds before/after pics

[plantbrain]

I mowed my 180 Gal and sold off a lot of weeds:

About 3 weeks later:

Helps to see pics and not be told what to do for trimming.
You can see that the stems resprout and fill in.
This same method is used for Gloss, HC etc, and other taller stesm much like trimming a landscape hedge.

A few species do better pulled up and replanting the "tops". but most, many can have this method done which is pretty low labor. I use large scissors and trim like hair, allowing the trimmings to float to the top and I net them out and fluff any dirt, loose leaves etc out.

Most have issues growing plants, so there is less discussion about actual gardening methods.

Uprooting and replanting tops is good every so often, and if algae is bad, often that can be better to remove the traces of algae, but if you are decent at growing aquatic plants, then gardening is more likely the main challenge, keeping up with the weedy growth.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[coach_z]

very nice tom.

it appears that in pic1 some plants are growing up others are growing towards the front of the tank. Illusion i am seeing or is that the way they were planted?

also, you only cut the very front stuff and it grew in nicely to meet the back. I always try to slope my trimming to get a similar (although not as good) effect that you achieved.

thanks for posting this

 

[plantbrain]

I trimmed them down to about 1", the mat was about 5-6" and I left the back to illustrate the depth. As the new stems sprouted, they fill in and give the slope illusion.

Same as if you trimmed a hedge in front of the house and the stems/branches regrew and leafed out.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[bigwave]

Thanks for the illustration of trimming. I don't know that I have ever seen such a clear picture of what experienced people do for trims. I just pinch mine of with my fingernails, and was always hesitant to cut them so short. That looks great though, I may try it next time.

 

[standardbyker63]

Tom, this is not the first time I've seen pictures of this tank of yours, but I'm always so stunned whenever I do see it. Absolutely beautiful. It's definitely been an inspiration for my own endeavors. Thanks for the info on how you keep your "weeds" in check. I would love to see more pictures of this tank. Perhaps a full tank shot?

 

[Slappy*McFish]

That's how I trim my dwarf Sag. Mow it down with scissors and net out the trimmings.