Trimming hygrophila polysperma?

[ellner357]

Well my hygrophila polysperma is growing real well up top. Leaves are getting huge. They are near the top of the tank and not a problem yet, but I'm sure in a matter of weeks at the rate that this plant is going it will be to tall. How do I trim it? What do I do with the trimmings? The closer to the light it gets the broader the leaves get? Yet a couple of the leaves down below are dying? What that about? Yes the tank is a little low light it's only a 25 w single flourecent. Idon't know what type of bulb it is? the prongs are about 1/2 inch apart. I don't really know how to tell yet. I run the light 13ish hours because it's underpowered. My water onion isn't doing great but it's living. The java fern is reproducing lol. But what should I do for the trimming?

[PPulcher]

The lower leaves are dying because they are being shaded by the upper leaves.

Trimming is pretty easy with hygro and other stem plants. I like to 'top' them, that is to cut the tops off about halfway down the stalk (or wherever you like). Assuming you still have some good leaves left on the bottom portion of the stem still rooted in the substrate, it will regrow new leaves and form new branches. You can replant the top portion in the substrate. Strip off a few leaves so you have a bare stem of about an inch or inch and a half and insert it into the gravel. A long pair of tweezers or hemostats are great for this! The top portion will grow new roots and continue to grow taller. This way you can create nice mounds of bushy looking plants!

When you have too much, you can always sell or trade the top portions.

[ellner357]

Hmmm, that sounds simple enough! I'll find a way to make it complicated I'm sure!