What's going on with my Hygrophila Difformis?

[CryptKeeper]

In my new tank (4 weeks old, with CO2 and EI ferts), Hygrophila Difformis was growing fast, so I trimmed some of the tops a bit over a week ago. It is now growing side shoots with leaves that look like this:

Now, I realise that plants can change their shape when going from emersed to submersed (like the Ammania Gracilis on the right did), but I've never seen H.Difformis images resembling that.

Is this is good or a bad sign?

 

[Parablennius]

Do you think it could be adapting to different ( lower ) light levels?

 

[Fiske]

I'm pretty certain leafshape in this plant is relative to light and temperature.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I'm pretty certain leafshape in this plant is relative to light and temperature.

Plenty of light and CO2 would be my guess, they've triggered the plant to produce leaves that are morphologically "emersed".

cheers Darrel

 

[CryptKeeper]

Very interesting, thanks for the replies.

The temperature in the tank is 26 degrees C, and CO2 is likely on the high side. The drop checker sits in the corner with the least amount of flow and is yellow-green by the time the gas turns off. I don't think the light is high, though. It's a 35W Helialux LED bar at 50% white, 70% blue.

Well, as long as it isn't a telltale sign for something going wrong I'll just sit back and enjoy the show

 

[rebel]

For kicks and giggles, try to grow it emersed and observe leaf shape. I have grown this outside in a water saving pot. It grew ok even in summer (sydney australia) !