AndyMcD
Member
I've planted both Rotala Rotundifolia and Rotala Green in my tank and both are growing well.
I've read that the black currant method is best for trimming Rotala (cut one third of the stems each time). Also, I've read that you should allow the new growth to reach the top before trimming. I understand that it is less stressful for the plant (and the tank) to do it this way.
Also, I've read that it is best to cut lower down on the first trim, so the plant creates two stems and eventually becomes bushier.
However, I tried trimming the one third method, but found that the cut stems would be overshadowed.
Particularly with the R. Green, I bought one two many plants and have a dense heart which is full of stems that no longer have leaves (or could be aerial roots).
As I have got an eventual shape in mind, guess what I ended up trimming across the whole plant, taking care to cut above where there was a pair of leaves.
My questions are:
- am I wrong in cutting low on my first, second, third... trim to try to create the framework of the shape I eventually want to create
- should I be applying the black currant method from the first trim (too late for me)
- should I wait for the stems to reach the top before trimming, or will I risk the plant being overshadowed
- should I do anything about the dense heart of plant mass in the centre? Should I try and get in and trim? Should I up root and re-plant new stems?
I've read that the black currant method is best for trimming Rotala (cut one third of the stems each time). Also, I've read that you should allow the new growth to reach the top before trimming. I understand that it is less stressful for the plant (and the tank) to do it this way.
Also, I've read that it is best to cut lower down on the first trim, so the plant creates two stems and eventually becomes bushier.
However, I tried trimming the one third method, but found that the cut stems would be overshadowed.
Particularly with the R. Green, I bought one two many plants and have a dense heart which is full of stems that no longer have leaves (or could be aerial roots).
As I have got an eventual shape in mind, guess what I ended up trimming across the whole plant, taking care to cut above where there was a pair of leaves.
My questions are:
- am I wrong in cutting low on my first, second, third... trim to try to create the framework of the shape I eventually want to create
- should I be applying the black currant method from the first trim (too late for me)
- should I wait for the stems to reach the top before trimming, or will I risk the plant being overshadowed
- should I do anything about the dense heart of plant mass in the centre? Should I try and get in and trim? Should I up root and re-plant new stems?
