Rotala Sahyadrica - Strange pattern

[guillaume-u]

Hello,

I've just found a strange Rotala Sahyadrica in my tank :



Did you already see this colors on them ? Is it the sign of a deficiency ? (others Sahyadrica are fine and they are close to this one ; I've just isolated it) :

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Did you already see this colors on them ? Is it the sign of a deficiency ? (others Sahyadrica are fine and they are close to this one ; I've just isolated it)

In this case I'd guess it is a mutation (<"sport"), rather than a nutrient effect. Because many Rotala spp. will become red, they have the gene for anthocyanin production and this looks like it could be a "faulty" expression of that gene.

Some plants (I have no idea about Rotala spp.) are very prone to throwing these, common garden ones are <"Coleus (Solenostemon) scutellarioides"> and various <"foliage Begonia spp">.

This is <"Coleus "Fishnet Stockings">, which shows similar variegation.



If it is a variegated mutant it may be "fixed" or new growth may revert to the type. @Mick.Dk said they used to get a lot of <"promising mutations"> at Tropica (like the <"Windeløv Java Fern">), but most of them couldn't be fixed.

cheers Darrel

 

[guillaume-u]

Thanks !

Can I do something to try to fix this mutation ? (like trimming/re-planting or trying to make it emerse ?) or should I leave it alone.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Can I do something to try to fix this mutation

You would need to try and propagate it vegetatively. New shoots that grow will either be variegated or green. If they are green you haven't lost anything and if they remain variegated? You would have a new plant and could approach a company like Tropica and they would trial it.

trying to make it emerse ?

That would be the best option (access to atmospheric CO2 etc), but I don't know how easy it would be to go from immersed to emersed.

cheers Darrel

 

[G H Nelson]

Interesting leaf pattern...Rotala sp is reasonably easy to grow emersed from submerged!
Take a cutting, place it in a pot with seedling compost, and cover it with a plastic bag....out of direct sunlight.

 

[guillaume-u]

Thanks again.

If I manage to have a second steam with this pattern (I don't know the right term in english for "bouture" ; it's when you trim + re-plant the steam). I'll try to place it in my green house.

I'll let you know 🙂

 

[G H Nelson]

Thanks again.

If I manage to have a second steam with this pattern (I don't know the right term in english for "bouture" ; it's when you trim + re-plant the steam). I'll try to place it in my green house.

I'll let you know 🙂

Cutting! 😉

 

[guillaume-u]

Cutting

Thanks ^^ I though "cutting" is only the action to "cut" something 😅

 

[Hanuman]

This plant is also referred to as Rotala tulunadensis. So far no one has been able to differentiate them, so until then they are virtually the same.

I've just found a strange Rotala Sahyadrica in my tank :

In this case I'd guess it is a mutation (<"sport"), rather than a nutrient effect. Because many Rotala spp. will become red, they have the gene for anthocyanin production and this looks like it could be a "faulty" expression of that.

You would need to try and propagate it vegetatively. New shoots that grow will either be variegated or green. If they are green you haven't lost anything and if they remain variegated? You would have a new plant and could approach a company like Tropica and they would trial it.

Won't work since it's not a mutation but rather the effect of either a deficiency but most probably a toxicity issue. This is common with this plant when she is not happy. Many have experienced this. So have I. Look <here>
@guillaume-u you can consider the plant dead. The plant will slowly turn black to the point where it will die. If you are lucky, a side shoot will grow on the lower section and the plant might start over, but that's if you are very lucky.

Can I do something to try to fix this mutation ? (like trimming/re-planting or trying to make it emerse ?) or should I leave it alone.

Unfortunately no you can't.

In my experience this plant is better kept with a fresh soil and a lean dosing.

 

[Hanuman]

I was able to grow this plant later on in a tank where I was dosing less (APT 3 clone) and the plant grew fine. It's a tricky plant which I would put in the same basked as Nesaea pedicellata Golden except this rotala does not forgive you. Once it starts turning black, it's too late.

 

[guillaume-u]

Thanks @Hanuman !
You broke my dreams 😂

Concerning the toxicity, it's strange because I've reduced my micro some month ago (due to Bacopa Purple in bad shape).

Currently, I'm dosing :

• 100% recommended dosage of Masterline I
• 150% recommended dosage of Masterline II (cloned via powder).

Is, the temperature can be the source of this issue ? (my tank was at 28°C during few days ; instead of 23°C).

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Won't work since it's not a mutation but rather the effect of either a definciency but most probably a toxicity issue. This is common with this plant when she is not happy. Many have experienced this. So have I. Look <here>
@guillaume-u you can consider the plant dead. The plant will slowly turn black to the point where it will die.

Thanks @Hanuman !
You broke my dreams 😂

Damn, that is a shame. Variegated plants aren't really my sort of thing, but I was getting all excited about a new cultivar - Rotala "Novo-UKAPS".

So have I. Look <here>

Now you've brought it back up I actually remember your thread.

cheers Darrel

 

[Hanuman]

Thanks @Hanuman !
You broke my dreams 😂

Concerning the toxicity, it's strange because I've reduced my micro some month ago (due to Bacopa Purple in bad shape).

Currently, I'm dosing :

• 100% recommended dosage of Masterline I
• 150% recommended dosage of Masterline II (cloned via powder).

Is, the temperature can be the source of this issue ? (my tank was at 28°C during few days ; instead of 23°C).

I can't conclusively tell you what the source of the toxicity is but I just know that it will eventually die, that's for sure. Vin Kutty and others I have spoken to have experienced this as well. Only thing I can say is that the common denominator from people growing this plant successfully and to whom I have spoken to, is that they all use a lean dosing approach. The toxicity is not necessarily micro related. It could be macro related as well.
As for the temperature, my guess is that it is not the problem since I was able to grow that plant in another tank that is in the same room than my main tank where the plant wouldn't grow properly. Both tanks ran between 29-30C.
It's a very pretty plant but I don't like having it. It's too finicky and can turn its back on you at any moment. Once it does there is no comming back. Like a girlfriend that leaves you and never calls back. Cruel. It can destroy a scape in no time.