pruning cabomba

[TomFromStLouis]

I have followed this forum long enough to know the standard answers to this question but am compelled to ask anyway because I must be doing something wrong. When I prune a stem plant like cabomba or lysimachia, I pull the whole thing up, trim off the bottom and discard, then replant the upper part. I am noticing two problems with my efforts so far: the replanted stand looks like hell - nothing like these pictures I see people posting where they "just trimmed, how does it look?" Scraggly and shorter than I'd want, the new stand looks pathetic. How do these people get the new stands to look so manicured and established? I have new admiration for the Dutch look.

Time can fix that but then I get problem number two: regrowth takes a long time or worse. I realize the plant needs to send out new roots and restablish itself, but in the case of my cabomba, it has never really taken off again. Ever since my first pruning, it has been losing some leaves and tends to stay somewhat folded up as if it is not getting enough light. My 3wpg CF bulbs are only 4 months old (and this issue surfaced maybe 2 months ago) - could they be fading that fast already?

As always, any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Starry]

I don't think it's your pruning technique that's the problem. The Cabomba just isn't happy. I've never grown it, so I can't give you any specific tips, but find out what's irritating it instead of finding a new pruning technique. Whatever you do, don't start pruning from the top.

 

[Hebdizzle]

I don't trim mine from the bottom, I cut it off from the top. Am I doing it wrong??

 

[Doublette90]

I grow Cabomba in my planted 20G. I don't always uproot the plant when trimming, I just trim off the top and if I have room I replant it in the gravel. The only time I pull up the whole plant is if it's looking too leggy, and I want to start with a fresh top. I also notice that the plant will "branch out" where it was clipped. Makes for a much fuller plant IMO. I know they are considered stem plants but I do use root tabs around mine, and they are getting quite a root systems much like my Vals.

I am fairly new to growing plants and I have had no problems with the cabomba, it was the first plant I put in my tank about 6 months ago. I have to trim it weekly and as of late have been throwing out the trimmings because I am running out of room (time for a bigger tank ).I have the same wattage per gallon as you so I don't think your light is a problem. Could it be then a nutrient problem? What is your fertilization routine?

I hope this is of some help.
Debbie

 

[TomFromStLouis]

additional facts: we are talking Cabomba Carolina, allegedly the easier form of Cabomba. I have trimmed the tops before but did not get the regrowth I had hoped for, so opted for the 'correct' method.

Nutrients are fine. My routine has stabilized and my NO3, PO4 and CO2 are all within normal desirable parameters. Temperature hovers between 25-27*. Maybe it is just one of those plants that I add to the 'Can't really grow it here' list, but that list is getting too long

 

[Makino]

I find i get better results from cutting the top off Cabomba Carolina and re-planting the tops.
Cuttings root fast and my tank quickly becomes over-run with this stuff. regrowth is amazing! my first plant grew from 4 inches, to the other side of my 30gal in a couple months.
my LFS has the same problem in it's tropical show tank. our water is roughly ph 6.5 and fairly soft. it's the best grower i've experienced.

 

[perrush]

1° C. Carolina doesn't like temp above 25 °C.
2° it's K+ sensitive, a defiency would make the tops look pale green to even yellow. Later on the plant dies from the top on.