Why plants loses it bushiness as it grows?.

**octopus** · 13th Dec 2011, 15:16

Is it normal for plants to lose the thick and bushy effect as they grow or is there a lacking in certain nutrients. I bought this bunch of cabomba from a lfs as it appeared very green and bushy. I planted the whole bunch in my tank and after a week in place of the bushiness can only see skinny and tall plants.

**edw7636** · 13th Dec 2011, 19:10

Have you check the plants requirement?

It might be lack of certain nutrients too. As you purchase from lfs, most of the potted plants are wrap in rock or mineral wool which contain some nutrient on its own. When you remove the wool, the plants will directly depends on you for the required nutrients. If you did not remove the wool, they will leech on the nutrients in the wool for about 2 to 3 weeks ( Depends on plants ) it will start to melt off slowly and in some case the roots will also root if you did not remove the wool.

**|squee|** · 13th Dec 2011, 19:17

You need to trim often.

**Aquanoob** · 13th Dec 2011, 20:10

It is actually the same as planting the normal soil plant. If you want it to grow tall, you cut away the plant's "hand", ie the branches. If you want it to grow wide horizontally, you cut away the "head". If you want the plant to go a certain direction, you cut the opposite direction. The nutrient will then be diverted to the existing branches, and it will grow nicer. I tried it on the water plants with good effect, you can try it too.

**octopus** · 13th Dec 2011, 22:22

Originally Posted by Aquanoob

It is actually the same as planting the normal soil plant. If you want it to grow tall, you cut away the plant's "hand", ie the branches. If you want it to grow wide horizontally, you cut away the "head". If you want the plant to go a certain direction, you cut the opposite direction. The nutrient will then be diverted to the existing branches, and it will grow nicer. I tried it on the water plants with good effect, you can try it too.

Actually tried cutting off the head. It stopped growing tall and grew wide. But it was not as thick (bushy) as it was originally. Looks very awkward.

**octopus** · 13th Dec 2011, 22:24

Originally Posted by edw7636

Have you check the plants requirement?

It might be lack of certain nutrients too. As you purchase from lfs, most of the potted plants are wrap in rock or mineral wool which contain some nutrient on its own. When you remove the wool, the plants will directly depends on you for the required nutrients. If you did not remove the wool, they will leech on the nutrients in the wool for about 2 to 3 weeks ( Depends on plants ) it will start to melt off slowly and in some case the roots will also root if you did not remove the wool.

Hmm.. very likely. Any idea what nutrients can promote thick growth?.