stem plant problem

[antonioshabirto]

Hi guys,

I am having this problem with most of my stem plants.

It seems like only the top quater of the stems grew leaves and the rest only left with the stems.

What is the main problem? Is my lighting not enuff or shouldnt i keep them too tall ??

Any advise

[o2bubble]

Because the bottom layers does not get enough lights due to blockage by top layers. When planting, space out a little. However, it's not totally avoidable since stem plants after trimming will grow many side branches and thus blocking light from the lower layers.

[valice]

In an aquascape, this is not an issue at all. And it is absolutely normal. To create that dense look one sees in competition photos, one can safely say that all the stems at the bottom are bare.

Choosing the correct plants and positioning to cover these ugly stems becomes important. Knowing which plant will grow downwards after sometime (like Rotala rotundifolia or Ludwigia brevipes) and plant will grow only upwards, like L.arcuata will help.

[Shadow]

yes it is normal, you just need to hide it some how either by other plant, rock or drift wood.

[o2bubble]

yes, I also hide it with other lower height plants like nana and crypts. however, in some scapes, the bottom bare looks are also desirable and I have a section of it as well to create some contrast with the rest. Depends on your scaping lol...