How to trim Cyperus helferi?

**Shadow** · 29th Jun 2007, 09:46

My Cyperus Helfery leaves grow very long and so I'm thinking of trimming it. What is the best way on trimming Cyperus Helfery? Will cutting the tip cause the whole leaves to rot like what happen to Vallis species?

Thanks in advance

**luenny** · 29th Jun 2007, 10:51

Cutting the tip of vallis will cause the whole leave to rot??

**Lighthammer** · 1st Jul 2007, 23:49

I don't know about cyprus helferi but I know from experience if you cut the top of vallis species like giving a haircut, the cut leaf will slowly rot.

**luenny** · 2nd Jul 2007, 10:36

Hmm ... funny. I have been cutting my v. spirallis for the past 2 years like cutting hair whenever they grow too long but I do not see them rotting away. There are some that rotted but I figure those rot because they were eaten by the snails or something. Anyway, the amount that rotted is way smaller than the amount being trim.

Ok, I've done another experiment after reading this thread. I've cut a few of the leaves of my giant vallis in another tank. This tank has less plants and is easier to find those that I've cut. They were cut on Friday evening. Let's give it a week and see if it starts to rot or not.

- Luenny

**Shadow** · 7th Jul 2007, 10:08

Any one trimming Cyperus helferi leaves before? Any tips?

**o2bubble** · 30th Oct 2009, 09:25

I need to find out about trimming cyperus as 2 weeks ago, I cutted all of them near the bottom and until now, no new leaves!! Neither are the remaining leaves rotting. Just stagnant. Wonder if it will grow back slowly?

**Cross** · 30th Oct 2009, 09:30

Saw this video , its the last one on the site, show them trimming the helferi http://www.tropica.com/go.asp?article=883

**checkerboard** · 30th Oct 2009, 09:31

Cyperus Helferi is a fairly slow growing plant, so no new leaf is ok for a while.
You should cut the leaves off as near to the base as possible, cutting the tips will cause rot as you mentioned. Usually the older leaves (those on the outer rim of the plant since new leaves always grow from the middle) will 'rot' by itself over time and you can pluck it out cleanly. If you want to get rid of it fast, then just cut near the base and let the remainder of the leaf rot off by itself.