Plants stem melt despite developed root system

[Liannnnnnnnnn]

Hi all,

I have a bush of rotala Bonsai (Ammania sp Bonsai) in my 2ft tank. Recently a good portion of them started to melt in the lower portion of their stem, while the upper half continues to thrive and pearl. When i removed some as the stems where starting to decay, i noticed the roots were still strong and thick, will some baby sideshoots sprouting as well. So im pretty confused. Anyone encountered similar issues before?

Using Eheim 2217, CO2 inline atomiser, Green Element light.

[khalloda]

F

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[lhsaw]

Any picture to show? Could be lacking of light at the bottom and lacking CO2

[Urban Aquaria]

Plant stems and leaves have a limited lifespan and will grow old over time... the ones at the bottom of a plant are the oldest and will naturally melt away after some time, they will not live forever. If they were recently planted, it could also be the old emersed form at the bottom simply melting during transition. The bottom parts are also blocked from light too hence the shedding of leaves. Thats why aquascapers have to regularly trim and throw away the rotten bottoms, then replant the healthy tops, to maintain the stem plants.

Very often if you look at aquascapes, keepers will strategically position mid-ground plants in front of taller background stem plants to hide the botak bottoms of the stem plants. If you peep behind such tanks you will see the bottom stems usually bare. Its normal.

Old stems and leaves that are dying will not magically recover or rejuvenate, once they start melting its already destined to rot away. So just have to cut and replant as part of regular plant maintenance.

Managing stem plants in aquascapes does tend to require more "gardening" work, need to roll up the sleeves and put some effort to maintain the nice plants.