Most Challenging Foreground plant

[Betta Almighty]

Yes, me too. I think it's very difficult plant to grow.

High Co2 and Strong lighting works fine for me.

[puffer07]

for me, E. tenellus is the easiest to grow and maintain, ADA soil, that's all u need.

[StanChung]

High Co2 and Strong lighting works fine for me.

Is that all? Have you got shrimps?

[grey_fox]

I had issues with Downoi....

Anyways, after reading from this thread, seems a lot are having issues with HC.

Wish me luck, I'm using HC as a front lawn for my rescape this Friday.....

[StonedFish]

I'm trying out HC (tied to steelmesh currently) again... had little success with it perviously, with my cories incessantly being a hindrance.

Anyways, does anyone know where to get utricularia? I heard it's a pretty fragile plant to grow.

cheers

[StanChung]

Well I've conquered it already and it's only a matter of letting it take root first before any fauna can mess it up. It also need med to high light. Esp critical for high tanks.

[Betta Almighty]

Is that all? Have you got shrimps?

nope no shrimps. just platys.

[greenie]

HC for me too. I have a 2ft tank built specifically for HC growing. 1 year still no success. Lighting already 5w/gal, using EI, substrate ADA amazonia. Only 1 oto in as bioload using eheim 2217 filter. My Rotala sp growing like crazy but my X batch of HC stay stunted. Co2 blast like hell using a diffuser.

The only thing I guess is temp bcoz it's always ard 30c. Don't tell me must get a chiller !!?????? I cannot put fan bcoz the tank top fully covered by the lighting.

[notebook]

lol get a fan there and try out

[denniswko]

HC difficult to grow....

[ronald_t80]

Ermmm.....how to trim E.Tennellus???

[StanChung]

Cut it like hairgrass. That's what I do and it comes back stronger. A weed.

[ronald_t80]

Cut it like hairgrass. That's what I do and it comes back stronger. A weed.

Hi StanChung? you mean just trim the top part OR cut it from the bottom part??? Please advise....thanks thanks!!!

[StanChung]

Just snip it like .5 to one inch from the bottom. Be brave...

[soulfinder78]

i don't have any fate with hair grass. itried hc, glosso and riccia all grow well for me except for hair grass. it's a 100% casualty rate for me. can any bro here advise me on that?

[StanChung]

Hairgrass is pretty easy but you may have missed something. I'm not sure if it's a fertilizing problem as this plant grows in medium-high light, CO2, EI or ADA.
So I'm guessing it's a handling problem or the plant bundle was already rotting.
Anyway get yourself fresh bunches as needed. Reduce tank water to 1 inch or not. Easier IMHO but wastes a lot of water.
1. put bunch in bucket of water.
2. separate into 5 to 10 stalk bunches onto a tray, keep damp.*
3. with speed plant with sharp tweezer. Bury until the white part of plant. Not too deep.
4. Then use a trimming scissors[curved] and snip off 1" from the top.

Leave it alone. Nothing would happen till a week later.

*Your hands get warm. Be sure to not hold the plant for too long.

[ronald_t80]

Wow....thats sound very pro/tough to me. But will try there in my next scape on my nano tanks. hehe

BTW StanChung bro, back to the E.Tennellus. By cutting them from their leaves will it make them "melt" ? Cause i did tried on other plants before and they seems to died off instead....

[StanChung]

It won't die that easily. I've done this myself more than a 3 times and It bounces back with nice new leaves.

*BTW it's pro because it's off a pro-scaper. lol.
It's detailed in English ver Aquajournal.

[ronald_t80]

hehe...thanks StanChung for the info...guess i learn something today

But Bro...how come my E.angustifolius doesnt seem to be able to survive after i snipped their leaves away? isit cause thats not the correct way to trim them? Please help. Thanks!

[eagleray]

I am also having a lot of problem with HC .. really tough

thinking of switching to lilaeopsis brasiliensis ... can anyone advise if this is also a difficult foreground plant ?