Trimming Plants

[abcdefghi]

I have a bunch of stem plants in my tank, that grow pretty quickly. I usually have to trim them at least every other week.

What is the best way to trim them? I usually cut off about the top 6" or so and leave about 10-12" growing. Should I trim them closer to the substrate? is there any benefit in doing so?

I also have some (what I think) are vals (tall grass looking plant) that are now reaching the top of the tank. How do I trim these?

Thanks.

 

[coach_z]

Just trim to a height that looks nice. i never cut straight across and make it look like a 'flat top' haircut. I usually make it kind of round-ish or irregular/wavy, shorter in the front and sides, taller in the middle, maybe a dip in the middle. Cutting too short might just look silly

vals: trim with a sharp scissor when you feel that they are providing too much shade. i, and many others, like the look of Vals that are bent over on top and providing a little bit of shade. it is also a good spot to grow lower light plants that you might like in a higher light tank.

 

[rocker92]

i agree with coach 100%

 

[customdrum]

if there big plants like aromatica and you want them to stay nice and neat i pull the whole plant and cut the bottom how high i want the plant then replant the top part so theres no stumpy look and throw away or raok the stumps.

this is how all the guys with the show looking tanks keep plants in levels looking so neat, when you cut the top out of some plants it looks bad and takes weeks to look good again.

if its regular little stems clipping the top is fine and not notiable. if im cutting 20+ stems off i cut them at different heights to hide the stumpy tops

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Cutting the tops off and leaving the bottoms results in multiple new syems sprouting and makes the plant more bushy. To retain the single stem quality you have to pull the stem up and cut it and replant the top portion.

 

[Squawkbert]

^ which is good, especially in foreground since that's where most of the leaves are anyway (use tops to hide leggy stems in rear).

 

[smartdog126]

i cut about 50% of it usually

 

[abcdefghi]

Thanks, I think I will cut them lower down as I want them to get a bushy look in the tank.

Another question... when trimming plants, what do you do with the trimmings if you have nowhere else to put them? for example, I have enough hygro now to fill all of my tanks, and the stuff grows like crazy for me. I know I could sell or RAOK it, but if no one wants it right away, where do you put it? Do you find a buyer before trimming it? or just hope to find one before you toss it out? (wondering as I just tossed out about 10 8"+ stemps of hygro).

 

[Riiz]

If I'm not giving it away or seeding another tank, I cut on my usual pruning day and just toss it in the trash. In one week I'll have enough again or maybe wait a few extra days to make an even larger portion for friend or family.

As for pruning, what works for me, I alternate every other week with the fast growing stems, the first go I trim the tops, next week I pull them and replant the tops. My method generates so much, that even with starting new plants or giving it away, I'm still throwing literally grocery bags of plants every month.