Tips for keeping LUDWIGIA planted

Rocketman

Rocketman

Detroit; proud of it.
Oct 24, 2002
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Detroit, MI
Real Name
Reid
Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep individual stems of Ludwigia planted? Mine keep popping out of the gravel, (they aren't in the bunches they are sold in anymore.) It seems like the stems rot when under the gravel - but if I keep them stable for long enough, will they root like anacharis does?
 
Planting 3 or 4 stems together seems to help with stem plants.
Plant them deep and be gentle so you don't crush the stems when inserting into the substrate. I plant mine at least an inch into the substrate.
If you have plecos or other large cats they will sometimes inadvertently uproot plants before they are able to root.
Len
 
Yes i had the same problem.. I had 3 watts a gallon yet where i planted it, the bottom of the plant didnt recive any light.. These plants are light hungry, u need to plant them in the open where they have ample supply of light.
 
When planting them, make sure no leaves are on the stems - pull off the leaves. You can use those metal plant wieghts to help keep them in the gravel.
 
Make sure no leaves are on the stems? I only have one stem on each of these individual stems. I don't think they are getting enough light, (30 watts total for a 60G.) The problem is that I can't find a way to increase my wattage without spending a lot of money - meaning, I can't find higher wattage bulbs that will work in my current hoods.
 
I don't pull any leaves off. I bury them deep, leaves and all. The leaves act as anchors from my point of view.
You absolutely need more light. 120 watts or 2.5watts/gal. is necessary in that tank unless you're going with Javas and Anubia.
Len
 
i always take

the metal plant weigths off because iw as concerned that the metal might corrode in the water, but i dont know, is it safe to keep the metal on the plants???
 
Short term it probably wouldn't hurt anything, but it's better to remove the lead and separate the stems.
Stem plants tend to rot when they are smoshed togther in the lead weights. I like to plant 3 or so stems together and move on to another spot.
Len
 
Someone who works at the Pet Supplies Plus I work at is really into fish. He has helped me a lot with this whole lighting thing, and with his help I've upgraded to twoAll-Glass Deluxe hoods, and will be putting in 24000K lights in each, although they may still only be 15W each. The Hood says it can also accomodate 2 incandescent lights 25W or less, each. Should I go with this instead? Cost is a large factor however.
 
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