Trimming Amazon Sword

L

LostFisher

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Jun 23, 2003
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I have some amazon swords in my aquarium, and a couple of the leafs are shriveld, I am wondering if I can cut them off to stimulate new growth. I guess my biggest question is if I do cut them off where do I cut them at? Also I have one leaf that is gigantic, I am wondering if I can cut that one off and plant it back in the substrate to make a new plant?

Thanks

LF
 
I just bought an amazon sword so I find this is a very good question. Hopefully this will bump it to the top of the list. I will wait with you for an answer.
 
I prune off the older lower leaves from swords whenever they get damaged or start fading, sometimes even when they are healthy to control (slow) the growth of the plant. Not a problem.

Amazon sword do not propagate from leaf cuttings. Baby plantlets form on submerse flower spikes and cab be removed and planted once they have decent roots, or spce and flexibility allowing, the spike can be weighted down to the substrate for direct rooting. Rarely for me, a mature plant will divide itself and can be lifted and separated.

HTH
 
I just pulled three of them out of my tanks because they were just too big for my 40 and 55s. I had been chopping at them, trying to control the growth to no avail. I can't imagine ever putting another large var. sword in any of my tanks again unless it's a 125 gal. or larger. Just too big!!!
I was pruning the leaves as close to the base as possible without any adverse affects. Didn't matter at all. They just got bigger and bigger and bigger................................
Len
 
Well I think tonight I will trim some of the larger leafs off. I hope the plants grow some new leafs heh! I am afraid after I cut the leafs the plant will just die.

LF
 
You can cut it anywhere along the stem, but it looks better if it doesn't have stumps sticking out all over the place.
You won't hurt it.
Len
 
Originally posted by LostFisher
.. .... Also I have one leaf that is gigantic, I am wondering if I can cut that one off and plant it back in the substrate to make a new plant?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, that won't work at all. Plants like Anacharis will grow from a cutting..

After seeing many tanks, I must also say, an Amazon Sword would look much better in a 100+ gallon aquarium. They just get too big and "leafy" for smaller tanks. Also, 'Vals' can 'take over' a tank..! :eek:
 
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