Trimming Rotala sp green.

[EvolutionZ]

as above, how do you guys trip them to be come thick and bushy?
thanks

[Jervis]

You trim them at the point you want them to branch out to form thicker bush. Once cut, the stem will split. So even trimming requires a lot of planning and vision

[EvolutionZ]

hmm.. true.. thanks jervis

[BlackShrimp]

jervis,

you mean they will CONFIRM split at the point of cut? no chance of a single stem growing up only?

[torque6]

So if you trimmed off the top grows 2 section. It grows and you trimmed the top again, so it splits to 3 sections ?

[BlackShrimp]

sounds creepy!!! haha... like an alien you trying to kill but multiply instead!!! haha!!

[tcy81]

to acheive a thick bush, you need to trimming around 3 times or more.
You need to imagine your final height you want your plants to be.
So the first trimming need to be lowest. then the 2nd abit higher , 3rd is higher than 2nd. so when the plants grow out after the 3 trimming it will be bushy and hopefully around the height & shape you want it to be.
Practice makes perfect.

[blue33]

Trim 4" then when it split to maybe few, trim down 2" again. It will grow to bushy...

[torque6]

cheeyong, blue,

first trimimg, it branches out to 2, it grows higher, and you trimm from the 2, it branches up to 1->2/ + 1.. like that is it ?? So the overall goal is to have a more compact growth at the top rather than the lower parts ?

[blue33]

cheeyong, blue,

first trimimg, it branches out to 2, it grows higher, and you trimm from the 2, it branches up to 1->2/ + 1.. like that is it ?? So the overall goal is to have a more compact growth at the top rather than the lower parts ?

Yes. Can replant those that you trim!

[tcy81]

yup i think its something like that.

[blue33]

I called it 4X2 inch trim!

[torque6]

I guess have to really conceptualise how your tank would look in the end inorder to trimm carefully. If there are issues with the scape later on, are we able to reset it by cutting them half way again ?

[blue33]

I guess have to really conceptualise how your tank would look in the end inorder to trimm carefully. If there are issues with the scape later on, are we able to reset it by cutting them half way again ?

Yeah. Provided you have the mass of Rotala to scape, they are amazing grower in high light tank.

[torque6]

ranma, gave some very good advise on trimming rotalas sometime back.
quote"
For Rotala green.. actually you have to start out planting quite densely.. if you can't plant densely then plant a few plants really close together.. then when they get tall..half them and replant the tops until you cover the area you want densely. After that... every 2-3-4weeks or so (depending on your growth rate) trim off the tops...

For the first time you do a trim.. do it low... perhaps leave only about 1/4 of the plant.. subsequent trimmings trim about 2-3 cm above the last trim... by the time you get to your desired height... the plant should have branched until kingdom come... and will look very lush. Of course, you have to judge for yourself if the plant is healthy and growing well to followup with a trim"

[Verminator]

I just do not understand everyones "method" they have posted for trimming, and at what heights, how often ect ect. Thinking it in your head and then typing what you mean is obviously alot harder than first anticipated, else i'd be able to follow and completely understand what people mean.

Any one happen to have step by steps image guide lol [joke]

[torque6]

I just do not understand everyones "method" they have posted for trimming, and at what heights, how often ect ect. Thinking it in your head and then typing what you mean is obviously alot harder than first anticipated, else i'd be able to follow and completely understand what people mean.

Any one happen to have step by steps image guide lol [joke]

I was hoping for the same.

[Verminator]

Its not half a bad idea if someone has the time and patience to do one. Would be good though. Even a general one for stem plants would be good, which could then be added as a sticky thread for everyone in future.

[torque6]

verminator, i did come across this, though it isnt in the aquarium context.
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B949-W.HTMl

[Verminator]

More of less what i already thought, just with a few finer details. Helpful none the less, thanks!