Rotala not growing upwards.

[shrimppaste]

Hi Everyone,

Can some one tell me why my Rotala Rotundifolia is not growing upwards? I just planted them like 3 weeks ago and only after the second week did I see growth. After that the growth was quite fast. But they are all going haywire. Each stem would branch to more stems and they are not really going straight up more goind sideways. Is this common for newly sprouting plant and would it be ok soon? Thank you so much.

[juggler]

Looks like the growth condition is good.

As stem plants grow near the surface, they tend to branch more to propagate. There are some stem plants which branch less. Eg. Bacopa caroliniana

[shrimppaste]

the problem is they are not near the surface they are like half of the tanks height.

[shrimppaste]

I have been reading at toehr forums that this is due to the light being too high. But then if I reduce the light won't it then induce algae??

[shrimppaste]

Somebody can help? I know for usre it's the lighting. So what should I do?

[shrimppaste]

Anybody have any similar experience?

[newtank]

isn't this a good thing, your rotala branching out to form a bushier look? Mine is branching out too, this weekend going to trim again so that it branches out even more

[Wabi-Sabi]

This is a typical case of a man's meat is another's poison Most people prefer a crawling rotala green and you are complaining... Yes, it is due to light intensity. What's the specification of your tank and light?

[shrimppaste]

my tank is getting like 4 watts per gallon. I thnk the problem is that I placed the light directly above the plants.

[christopher.wtc]

my tank is getting like 4 watts per gallon. I thnk the problem is that I placed the light directly above the plants.

Hi shrippaste,
You could try this, confine and surround the space between the rotala bunch with other plants. Though some rotala will grow and sneak its way into the other plants, it will quickly learn that there will be insufficient light when it grows into other plants, then it will learn to grow up wards.

Good luck bro.

[barmby]

I think the problem is you are too good for stem plant. Try harder species ba

[Jungle-mania]

Hahaha, agree with Bramby, time for you to work your magic on harder plants with your greenfingers.

[shrimppaste]

I moved the lights further in front and they are starting to grow upright Added Ludwigia Arculata and Walliichii still not growing as well as the rotundifolia.