Why do the new leaves on my Rotala grow down?

[Sanniejop]

Hi all,
My Rotala has a strange way of growing. New leaves are growing bend down even pointing into previous grown leaves making them deform. I first thought this was a deformation caused by some kind of deficiency or toxination. But it is caused by the way of growing which in the end is possibly also a result of a dificiency? What could be causing this?

Thanks for any help

Below all tank info and pictures.

1. Size of tank 160x60x60cm
2. Age of the system approximately. Started jan 2025
3. Tap water parameters. See attachment
4. Filtration and Media. Eheim e700
5. Lighting and duration. 2x giesemann pulzar 8.5 hrs on 40%
6. Substrate. Plain gravel and sand
7. Co2 dosing or Non-dosing. CO2 dosing
8. Drop Checker. See picture
9. Fertilizers used + Ratios. CSM+B PPS pro daily dosing
10. Water change regime and composition. Every two weeks 35% (tap 28% mixed with RO)
11. Plant list + Invitro/Emersed. See picture
12. Inhabitants. Congo tetra, corys, loach, amanos, diamont tetra, siamese and otos,
13. Full tank shot and surface image.

 

[Connswater]

Lovely layout, particularly the wood, rosette plants and lily, and I like your fish selection.

No idea ref. why the stem plant has oddly shaped leaves but I'd be tempted to jettison some of the bunches of the stems in your particular setup, which is quite gorgeous to my eye.

My tank needs a ruthless rescape and reduction in the range of plant species, your lovely tank reinforces my slightly negative view of my own tank...but I will leave it until after I had my French holiday...and then, well who knows.

Apologies for going further off topic, but your garden looks good as well, feel nosy having peek, but looking through your tank and out to see a well manicured and interesting garden was a delight, you should post some pictures of your garden. Mine is only now recovering from the intense heat and lack of rain.

 

[hypnogogia]

Lovely tank and set up. No idea why the leaves grow down, sorry.

 

[Sanniejop]

Thanks alot @Connswater . I had to use translate to get the meaning of the word jettison 😀😲. I agree that some times less is more. But I like to have some bushes to in my tank too, but lately i am a bit strugling.

I spend a lot of time in finding the right hardscape and arranging it but in the end my conclusion is that it all disappears in the plants 😄. So indeed less plants could be a good idea.
We are just back from France, such a nice country. I love it.
And indeed we also love gardening. But what you see are the plants on the windowsill at the frontside of the living room. The garden is at the backside 😃. Here are some pics. We call it our little Paradise. Back from holidays we discovered new breed in the pond from Scardinius erythrophthalmus.

 

[Connswater]

Your garden is outstanding, simply magnificent in gentle shades of tranquil green. Thank you for sharing, I thoroughly enjoyed having a good look.

 

[Sanniejop]

Lovely tank and set up. No idea why the leaves grow down, sorry.

Thanks 😀. I am afraid it has to do something with the lighting. I already upgraded to two light so i can use them on a lower intensity.

 

[Sanniejop]

Your garden is outstanding, simply magnificent in gentle shades of tranquil green. Thank you for sharing, I thoroughly enjoyed having a good look.

Thank you again. I am happy to share. The more people that can enjoy it, the better.

 

[G H Nelson]

What Rotala is it?

 

[Sanniejop]

What Rotala is it?

I have two sorts,
Rotundifolia and Colorata. I think this is the Rotundifolia

 

[G H Nelson]

"a weeping habit (at first, the shoots grow upright, but then bow down), and always only 2 (not 3 or more) leaves per node."

Rotala rotundifolia 'Green'

This plant that entered the aquarium plant trade as Rotala sp. "Green" is apparently a form of the very variable species Rotala rotundifolia. The characteristics of the submersed form of R. rotundifolia "Green" are:- pur...

www.flowgrow.de

 

[Sanniejop]

@G H Nelson , What the hack. So this is normal behaviour.... 🫠
Never mind my question then.
Thanks for informing...

 

[PeerUnk]

Beautiful tank and garden! Both deserve a journal 😉