How to make Hydrocotyle sp. crawl?

**doppelbanddwarf** · 8th Dec 2007, 16:07

I'v recently gotten a pot of Hydrocotyle sp. from Y618, not sure if anyone else here has gotten it as well. The leaves are about 1cm diameter. I'm not sure whether it is a smaller sp. or its just stunted, but the leaves doesnt show any sign of growing any larger. How do i make them creep as they seem to be growing upwards instead. Is lighting the problem?

**ranmasatome** · 8th Dec 2007, 17:31

actually this genus of plant has many different growth forms depending on the species... from what you describe.. i can guess what it is.. but just so we are both on the same page..i won't say anything for now..

If you don't know what plant it is.. take a picture and perhaps i can ID it for you.. then we can start talking about growth patterns..

**doppelbanddwarf** · 8th Dec 2007, 21:19

I managed to get some pictures of the plant.

Pictures of the plant submersed.

Here's some I'm trying to grow emersed in a glass container.

And here's a comparison in size of the container with a phonecard.

NOt sure whether they show the plant well enough.

**ranmasatome** · 9th Dec 2007, 01:35

Hi.. from what i can make out in the pictures this plant seems to be H. leucocephala...
Regardless of light, it will grow upwards...i don't think there is anything you can do because that is just how it grows. However, what you can do to make them form a neater shape is to trim the "edges" that you dont want off and let it keep its shape in the aquarium. If left to float.. they will start to send roots downwards, as if trying to look for a place to anchor themselves... this plant is a nice plant.. i used to have it in my 3 ft and it "spots" the tank with shades of light green... quite nice to use in scaping. Growing it was never a problem for me however, control of this plant and shaping is quite hard...as it does take some time for you to learn how it likes to grow and to understand that and use it to your advantage.
If you are looking for the "small mushroom" look in your tank, what you should be using is H. maritima..but this plant is rare and REALLY hard to find in singapore, so make-do loh.. this one also can..but a little harder to maintain.

**doppelbanddwarf** · 9th Dec 2007, 07:45

OH ok thanks a lot. I do not really understand the part about trimming the edges though. You mean trim off new runners?

**doppelbanddwarf** · 9th Dec 2007, 07:56

After googling for Hydrocotyle leucocephala, I realise that it is a plant with much larger leaves. The one I have does not show any sign of growing larger. Is it another sp. or just stunted?

**ranmasatome** · 9th Dec 2007, 13:19

i can't tell if its stunted..
how long have you had it in your tank? Some of the beginning leaves can be really small... but given enough light and nutrients, they get much bigger...
i might be wrong on the sp. but give it some time and see how it grows? then take another picture?? i'm pretty sure it is...but of course not 100%.
Try floating one on your tank.. see how..