Tending the bacopa

[irishspy]

Hi all,

Bacopa Gardens in the Betta Palace is coming along nicely: new shoots are appearing out of the gravel. (I must be doing something right.... :headbang2

Some of the stems have gotten tall enough that they're emerging from the water. Is bacopa the type of stem plant I can cut the top portion from and replant it, and can I expect the old stem to sprout new branches?

(I was thinking of letting a cut stem float till it sprouts roots -- or should it be planted straight away?)

 

[KarlTh]

Plant straight away. Best to cut above an existing side shoot, but be careful; Bacopa becomes leggy in time with pruning so you may end up throwing away old bases after a few prunes.

Bacopa is amphibious and will actually grow through the water surface and into the air if you let it.

 

[irishspy]

Thanks! I've noticed the legginess: the leaves on the lower portions of some of the stems have melted, I assume from being too shaded by the higher-up leaves. I'll trim them when the sprouts have grown a bit more.

I'd love to let the plants grow out of the water, but I have to keep the cover on: bettas can be jumpers.