• You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up

Trimming stem plants -beginner

Gulczi

Member
Joined
9 Aug 2020
Messages
30
Location
Poland
Hello,
I’m beginner in growing plants and I’m little bit confused about trimming stem plants.

I want to grow at the back ludwiga and limnophilia aromatica. I want it to reach almost surface and be really bushy.. should I trimm it now or wait until it reach the height That I want?
 

Attachments

  • 357E9BC5-7BB6-42F6-8F54-67C443C695CB.jpeg
    357E9BC5-7BB6-42F6-8F54-67C443C695CB.jpeg
    2.6 MB · Views: 251
  • 8E1D6DF1-C957-433E-9983-F2018ACA34DD.jpeg
    8E1D6DF1-C957-433E-9983-F2018ACA34DD.jpeg
    3.2 MB · Views: 127
Last edited:
Hi all,

@Gulczi, there are a few things to consider when trimming.

As the plant grows, it changes its "machinery" to adapt to current conditions (in the same way we get into a routine). If the conditions in your tank vary*, then then leaves on the bottom may be configured differently than the ones on top.

*every moment when growth occurs, when detritus develops, when obstructions happen, flow patterns are "changed". Now, the impact from 1 second to the next is extremely small so it is not worth out time considering. But if you allow the growth to occur over a month or two and then do a massive trim, the leaves which were originally engineered to these circumstances have now been shaded/have a different environment ... and they may have adapted again ... or died (due to lack of nutrient delivery).

So, when we trim, we consider the "machinery". If you have a tall tank, then the impact of trimming down the stem is larger than doing a 1/3 trim.

Now, if you provide ideal conditions for plant growth and have a healthy plant that you are trimming, it really doesn't matter - it will used its stored energy (in whatever you have left) and create leaves and stems which are adapted to the "new" conditions. (We ALWAYS want to have healthy strong growing plants in the tank for stability - if we put our plants in a situation that is unfavorable ... they will make it .. probably ... but the system will be "stressed" ... which is fine - as long as we are aware and can respond appropriately).

The top that you replant has a bunch of stored energy (since it was healthy), so it will throw roots and begin growing.

You can either:
1) trim it a little bit and replant the tip elsewhere
2) trim it to the ground and replant the tip elsewhere
3) you could pick the tallest stems and trim them: @Mick.Dk mentions the "Black Current Method" < here > which I will be personally trying soon.

In every case, you need to ensure that your conditions are ideal for plant growth (nutrients, co2, flow/distribution, lights, temperature).

Dennis Wong has a great video here:




The best part is this:

Even if it isn't bushy by the "end" of this attempt, you can just uproot/top all of the new growth that you have and start again!!!!!

This time though with more stems to play with.

Josh
 
Wow thank you Josh for explaining me and sending this video!
Since its my first real planted tank I will test this method with Ludwiga as I understood I should trimm it behind my hardscape and after some times when th side shoots will grow a little bit then I need to trimm only the tops and so forth
 
This is great advice thank you. I've just rimmed the fast-growing plants at the back and replanted the cuttings. I'm looking forward to seeing how long I have to wait until the cuttings start to grow. The plants are Hygrophilia Siamensis 53B and Bocopa Caroliniana. The tank uses TNC complete and CO2.
 
Back
Top