Tenellus take over!

[Bhu]

Hi All

So my echinodorus tenellus is growing really well. The two plants added to the left corner have filled that space and are now pushing out into the territory of my hopefully lilaeopsis brasiliensis. The LB is clearly a much slower grower but is growing albeit painfully slow!



So you can see the 2 runners from the ET about middle front now entering the LB bed attempt. If I leave them will it make it even harder on the LB to grow? Will they take over that area and wipe the LB out if let to grow?

So what's best to do? Chop off those end 2 runners and put a stop to it there? Or just let them all mingle? What would you do? Any advice appreciated...

Cheers

Bhu

 

[Michael W]

Nice growth! I don't think it will matter if the E. Tenellus grow all the way to the LB, I've seen carpet mix of the two and it looked nice. LB is really slow growing but it can sure take a beating and come back so no need to worry about it getting snuffed out by the Tenellus. I have LB floating and they are doing fab.

 

[Bhu]

Sounds good! I think I will leave the ET to grow on then 😉

 

[Jose]

I dont agree. I think youll end up with only ET because it will gulp the lilaeopsis unless you thin out the ET on that side often enough.
Very healthy growth! Keep it up.

 

[Bhu]

Oh dear! A conflict of opinions, now I'm done for! Well I did fear that the ET would overwhelm the LB as its such a slow grower! I think I will wait for other opinions as well before making my mind up. That space is bare due to the LB growing in so slow and the ET would soon fill it as it has the left corner.
Any other views ideas appreciated...
I think those last 2 shoots will be just that into that area anyhow.

 

[Mick.Dk]

The tenellus is a very vigorous grower (as you see allready) - actually one of the fastest to cover - so I have no doubts whatsoever, it will manage to strangle Lill. brass. over time (and not a long time, I should add).
Growing them side by side is possible, but takes CONSTANT control from you on thinning tenellus. It's really not a good mix.........(IMO)........
Personally, I would consider wether to wait for the notoriously slower growing Lill. brass. ..........or let the tenellus do what it is obviously good at !!!
- remember; it's your tank. Only you can decide how much effort you will put in it, and how important any of present plants are, to your scape

 

[Bhu]

Mmmmm this is what I thought would happen! I had no idea that the ET was such a fast grower compared to the LB. Well I'm happy to stop the ET in its tracks. The last 2 plant tips it has in the LB area will be its last. Luckily with ET the runners are above the substrate so makes it easy to find them and cut them 🙂

 

[Michael W]

I wish it was as easy to remove ET runners as it was with dwarf sag in a soil based tank... *Sigh*

 

[Mick.Dk]

Yep - you can easily make a "natural-looking" stop-point for tenellus at tbe end of that wood and Anubias.

 

[Bhu]

Thanks for all your input. I will keep a trim on it and report back in a few weeks when its all grown some more 😉