Monte carlo growth

[sbladerz]

Hi.
I need someone to help take a look at the photos below. I'm not sure if my monte carlo is on the right track to growing to a carpet.

[limz_777]

what light you using ? i notice MC only grow upward is against the glass or rocks

[sbladerz]

I'm using aquazonic al353 and up aqua pro led z-10

[limz_777]

most likely its not MC then

[sbladerz]

U mean the plants I got is not mc?

[Clamence]

Yeah mc have round leaves, urs looks elongated

[sbladerz]

Oh no. I was told they are mc. I got them from sun pets aquarium.

[milk_vanilla]

Looks like hm or rotala, close up photo might help

[sbladerz]

Here's a close up. Hope it helps.

[jiajuen900]

As far as I can tell, it's Monte Carlo. From the up lose photo, definitely not HM and doesn't look like any rotala.

how long have the plants been in the tank?

[sbladerz]

The first batch has been in it for almost 3 weeks. I got another batch just last Sunday and placed them in the empty spots

[Urban Aquaria]

Keep trimming the taller stalks and replanting them into the empty gaps, eventually they will fill in and achieve consistent heights, at the same developing a more creeping growth pattern... then you can start trimming them regularly like a lawn.

[sbladerz]

Keep trimming and replanting the taller stalks into the empty gaps, eventually they will fill in and achieve consistent heights, at the same developing a more creeping growth pattern... then you can start trimming them regularly like a lawn.

Hi thanks for the reply. Do I trim and replant the top while leaving the bottom intact in the soil?
Or do I remove the bottom?

[Urban Aquaria]

Hi thanks for the reply. Do I trim and replant the top while leaving the bottom intact in the soil?
Or do I remove the bottom?

If the bottom stems and leaves are still healthy and fresh, then just cut the tops and replant them, leave the bottom section to continue growing. This is one of the common methods of propagating stem plants.

Monte carlo supplied at LFS are usually in emersed form, so there will naturally be some percentage of the older emersed leaves melting, those you should remove to reduce rotting organic matter (which tends to attract algae).

[sbladerz]

If the bottom stems and leaves are still healthy and fresh, then just cut the tops and replant them, leave the bottom section to continue growing. This is one of the common methods of propagating stem plants.

Monte carlo supplied at LFS are usually in emersed form, so there will naturally be some percentage of the older emersed leaves melting, those you should remove to reduce rotting organic matter (which tends to attract algae).

Thank you for the explanation. Will definitely try out what u suggest.
However I face problem trying to get the cuttings into the soil. They tend to float up and not grip on.

[Urban Aquaria]

Thank you for the explanation. Will definitely try out what u suggest.
However I face problem trying to get the cuttings into the soil. They tend to float up and not grip on.

Just trim the tops with at least 3-4 leaf nodes on a stem, then plant them deep into the soil, 2-3 leaf nodes can be fully buried in the soil, only leave the top 1-2 leaf nodes above the soil. That will ensure the newly planted stems wouldn't float up.

[sbladerz]

Just trim the tops with at least 3-4 leaf nodes on a stem, then plant them deep into the soil, 2-3 leaf nodes can be fully buried in the soil, only leave the top 1-2 leaf nodes above the soil. That will ensure the newly planted stems wouldn't float up.

Sure thing. Let me try that out!

[kurty]

Attachment 46670

MC is easy, even for a newbie like me

[sbladerz]

Attachment 46670

MC is easy, even for a newbie like me

Wa looks really nice! How long did it take u to achieve that?
Did u do any of the trimming like UA Bro suggested?

Just last Sunday I bought some more mc which was already carpeted on a steel mesh. I remove the mesh and took chunks of the carpet and just place on the emptier area. Is it alright? Or more advisable to have it plan in stem by stems?

[XxbloodxX]

something is wrong there... why is it growing upwards?