Floppy Rotala Rotundifolia

[John P Coates]

I added a Rotala Rotundifolia (RR) to my tank just over a week ago. The stems have all flopped over but otherwise look healthy. I am using CO2 injection (around 10 ppm) and the tank is well lit using a custom BuildMyLED fixture. The substrate is Tetra Complete topped with JBL Manado. Micronutrients are provided by Tropica Liquid fertilizer. All other plants are fine (including Ludwigia Glandulosa). The RR still has round leaves as opposed to needle-shaped leaves, which apparently develop over time when grown under water. Any suggestions?

 

[Mick.Dk]

In good light-conditions, it is very common to see stems of Rot. rot. "arching". Usually stems will produce new growth, from the highest point - and those may well "arc" too.
In my personal opinion, this actually add positively to the overall impression of the whole group of stems. One unfortunate thing, though, is that these "arching" stems, tend to produce more aerial roots - usually not a feature desired in an aquatic scape !! Aerial roots are easyli trimmed off, though 🙂

 

[Edvet]

Might be some shortage, (i think i read Magnesium somewhere) Using the expensive Tropica brand could you be a bit low in micro's?

 

[Mick.Dk]

It would be unlikely, to see Rot. rot. being the first to suffer from lack of micro's..........I'd expect Lud. gland. to react earlier.
- as I said before; calm down, I've seen Rot. rot. reacting like this quite often - especially while adapting to life underwater. Give it a couple of weeks....

 

[John P Coates]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for the feedback, which is greatly appreciated.

I will wait for a couple of weeks and see what happens. When I bought the Rot. rot., I hadn't realized that it doesn't grow fully submerged in its natural habitat. I have a lot to learn about aquatic plants!

I'll report back from time to time.

JPC

 

[Guest]

I think it's what's called a interspecific growth habit...given the right conditions it will stoop to fill any and all voids. In nature this is essentially an opportunistic weed, and weeds are incredibly adaptive...Personally, I like this habit. R. green is especially good at it, and this natural inclination can be used to great effect in a scape...you're lucky...