Hygrophila polysperma - how to make it grow straight up?

[z_z]

Hi all

I need advice on how to get the main stem of my h.polysermas to grow straight up or something close to straight? They tend to grow sideways after a while. Thanks in advance

[Salphur]

Hi z_z,
care to share your lighting specs (Type, intensity and duration)and whether the tank is place near to another source of light, such as near windows or room lights.. etc ?


Cheers!

[z_z]

Hi z_z,
care to share your lighting specs (Type, intensity and duration)and whether the tank is place near to another source of light, such as near windows or room lights.. etc ?
Cheers!

Tank Dimensions (LxWxH, specify units): 3 feet x 1.5 feet x 1. 5 feet

Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) : 4 x 39 W T5HO
Duration : ~ 9 hrs

The tank is not really near to any other intense light sources.

[juggler]

Hi all

I need advice on how to get the main stem of my h.polysermas to grow straight up or something close to straight? They tend to grow sideways after a while. Thanks in advance

Just a thought:

It could be natural for them to grow sideways so as to expose more of their bottom leaves to light. The plant branches new shoots easily so this way they get more light.

[z_z]

I am refering to this:


Notice the main stem bending towards the front...

[beetlejuice403]

I am refering to this:


Notice the main stem bending towards the front...

Hmm.. bro, could it be subjected to any strong current in the water body, thus explaining for such growth development? [That's what I noticed in my growth of the Stargrass where one patch was constantly 'blown' by the current in my tank, but the others are growing straight up...]

Another possible reason (unable to see from your pic above): Any other taller plants with large leaves hovering over this plant & thus blocking them of the light they need for straight growth? Most plants react in this manner when in search for light to carry out photosynthesis...

Just voicing my 2 possible reasons, may not be correct though... Cheers!!

[Salphur]

"other taller plants with large leaves hovering over this plant & thus blocking them of the light they need for straight growth? Most plants react in this manner when in search for light to carry out photosynthesis... "

According to Bro Beetlejuice and what i think i saw in your pic.. this is a likely reason, as plants seek to find a direct source of light.

In fact, to test it out.. you may want to just plant a stalk of it in an open patch free from other plants and see it's development as compared to other stalks in their original spot.

Cheers!

[z_z]

Ok I have cut down my polyspermas into plantlets. Let's see how it goes...

[mojave]

Mine tends to grow towards the light. But too much light will make it creep some.

[illumbomb]

Just another guess, if there is no "taller plants hovering above the Hygrophilia", it could be bacause of the variation in lighting level due to the position of the light source across your light fitting itself. The light source (i.e. T5HO) where the light produced is the strongest might not be located directly above this plant.

[z_z]

Just another guess, if there is no "taller plants hovering above the Hygrophilia", it could be bacause of the variation in lighting level due to the position of the light source across your light fitting itself. The light source (i.e. T5HO) where the light produced is the strongest might not be located directly above this plant.

I think that is most probably the case. I have re-arranged my light sources. Will do a little experiment by covering my tank with black cloth and observe how they grow...