Getting growth at the base of stem plants

[tubamanandy]

Whats the best way to achieve growth lower down on stem plants ?

With most of our lighting coming from directly above, is it simply a case of light not reaching the lower parts of the plants ?

 

[xim]

Depends on the species, I've found Rotala Green is willing to do this.
If the light is strong enough, it will send new shoots from the bottom sometime,
even though the light can't reach the base.

But of course, your chance will be better if the light can reach the lower areas.
Looking at tanks in ADA videos, you will see most of the big tanks with stem plants
have the substrate very high at the back to get an illusion of depth and closer
to the light. This will minimise the need to replant tops.

 

[Mick.Dk]

Like said; different plants have different willingness to branch from base. Ex - Pog.erectus is VERY good at it, whereas Rot. macrandra is not.
- may I (again) advocate for trimming, using "Black Current Method"......since this method ensure light and flow can enter the group of stems at all time and same time ensure the group looking good at all time.
Black Current Method:
when tallest stems in a group reach surface or desired hight, cut 1/3 of total amount of stems in group. Preferably very low above substrate. Re-plant some of the healthiest off-cuts (remove leaves that will be buried).
When group of stems have grown back to surface or desired hight, cut next 1/3 of stems (now the tallest). Re-plant some, as per first time.
When group of stems have grown back to surface or desired hight, cut the last 1/3 of stems. Re-plant as per first time...........and continue this way.

 

[rebel]

Like said; different plants have different willingness to branch from base. Ex - Pog.erectus is VERY good at it, whereas Rot. macrandra is not.
- may I (again) advocate for trimming, using "Black Current Method"......since this method ensure light and flow can enter the group of stems at all time and same time ensure the group looking good at all time.
Black Current Method:
when tallest stems in a group reach surface or desired hight, cut 1/3 of total amount of stems in group. Preferably very low above substrate. Re-plant some of the healthiest off-cuts (remove leaves that will be buried).
When group of stems have grown back to surface or desired hight, cut next 1/3 of stems (now the tallest). Re-plant some, as per first time.
When group of stems have grown back to surface or desired hight, cut the last 1/3 of stems. Re-plant as per first time...........and continue this way.

Mick, do you remove the old stem/stubs with this method? Ie, are you topping?

 

[Mick.Dk]

Nope - unless, ofcourse, there are obvious signs of unhealth (=mis-colouration, rot or like).
for far most stem-plants, the stubs are likely to produce new top(s), given enough light a and flow around.

 

[Lexy]

Very useful info thanks, will be giving this a go come next water change as my ludwigia is looking worse for wears.

 

[Cor]

Like said; different plants have different willingness to branch from base. Ex - Pog.erectus is VERY good at it, whereas Rot. macrandra is not.
- may I (again) advocate for trimming, using "Black Current Method"......since this method ensure light and flow can enter the group of stems at all time and same time ensure the group looking good at all time.
Black Current Method:
when tallest stems in a group reach surface or desired hight, cut 1/3 of total amount of stems in group. Preferably very low above substrate. Re-plant some of the healthiest off-cuts (remove leaves that will be buried).
When group of stems have grown back to surface or desired hight, cut next 1/3 of stems (now the tallest). Re-plant some, as per first time.
When group of stems have grown back to surface or desired hight, cut the last 1/3 of stems. Re-plant as per first time...........and continue this way.

Why prune each time only 1/3 of the plants?
And why not all at once?

Has it to do with the risk of algae?

 

[Mick.Dk]

Like said; it will ensure, the group look good at all times. I think most of us find a total cut-back less attractive.
...........and yes, it also give smaller changes in the bio-mass of the entire tank, making algae-problems less likely to appear.

 

[Easternlethal]

Without stem plants it's important to not crowd them too much, which is what's happens when they're are pruned, because new shoots come out and the plant then needs twice as much space around it. Over time offshoots can tangle with each other and then it becomes hard to uproot a base without taking out a whole bunch.

Much better to avoid trimming and just pull out the entire stem and replant the tops each time. You can then maintain better control of the bases, which is then secret to having a nice looking shrub.

 

[Lexy]

Will give this ago as well.

Just lost a whole bunch of ludwigi as they were dead at the base. Tried cutting them right down, with no success.

Lesson learned. xD