Propagating nana

[chooz]

I have Anubias bartieri nana on driftwood. New leaves sprouting and old leaves dying at the same rate. So after 4 years, the plant is still about the same size as on the day I bought it.

Is that normal? Has anyone try propagating nana in aquarium?

[Shadow]

not normal. Old leaves should not be dying.

[v_nod]

Agree with Robert. They shouldn't be dying off. You should be getting a bigger plant. Check the new leaves to see if they are yellow, etc. Could be a sign of a lack of nutrients in your tank.

[chooz]

Thank you all for the replies.

Seems like I haven't gotten the right conditions for the nana. Strange. I grow the nana together with java fern and java moss. Both the java fern and java moss have multiplied so many folds and I have removed so many of them in numerous occasions. I thought the three have similar growth requirements.

The old & big nana leaves do turn yellow once in a while and die off. The rate is the rate as new leaves sprouting. So it remained at the same size.

[Left C]

From "Pruning, Dividing and Propagating in the Display Aquarium — Part Two" by Karen Randall

"Rhizome plants like Anubias, Java ferns and Bolbitis rarely need pruning per se, but they will need to have older dead or damaged leaves removed from time to time. It is usually easiest to do this with a pair of sharp scissors. When a stand becomes too large, it can be divided any place along the rhizome with a sharp knife or scissors. Just make sure that each section of rhizome has at least a few leaves and a healthy group of roots. Anubias can be encouraged to branch along the rhizome by slightly nicking the outside covering of the rhizome with your fingernail or a knife."

I should post Part One of this two part article. This two part article is very helpful. Part One: http://bobstropicalplants.com/Chuck/jun1998.html

[chooz]

Thanks for the links to the informative article.

[Left C]

You are very welcome. Those two threads are really ageless.