Shaping Rotala Green

[KDahlin]

I had always thought that getting rotala green to grow downwards took high light. Below, is rotala green growing downwards in only 1.5 wpg T5 light.

How is this look achieved?

[EdTheEdge]

I think that's trimmed as you would a hedge. At least that's how I would do it....

[SearunSimpson]

Yeah, I believe it is trimmed that way with scissors. Also, that dense outcome is from multiple trimmings, and almost "training" it to that. When you trim stem plants, usually one or more new shoots grow out of the node, eventually making one stem two or three or more as you trim it and 'train' it.

[Green Leaf Aquariums]

This is the best guide for proper trimming technique. I think you all will learn a great deal from this Enjoy
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ad.php?t=57960

[KDahlin]

Well, this picture is maybe not the best. You can't really tell that the plant is actually bending down rather than trimmed like a hedge. I have seen really nice layouts of Rotala Green in Aqua Journal where it is bending down over driftwood. In this photo it does look like it's trimmed like a hedge but it is actually bending down over the driftwood. It's a different effect.

[resowner92]

Originally Posted by Orlando

This is the best guide for proper trimming technique. I think you all will learn a great deal from this Enjoy
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ad.php?t=57960

great link wouldnt think of cutting that low

[prototyp3]

Originally Posted by Orlando

This is the best guide for proper trimming technique. I think you all will learn a great deal from this Enjoy
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...ad.php?t=57960

Great link. But looking at that reminds me why I haven't been using stem plants. So much work! Really nice looking when done properly, but then it disappears and needs more work. I loves me some slow growers!

[pfertz]

IME, Rotala Green tends to naturally bend over like that as it gets closer to the light source.

[Green Leaf Aquariums]

Stem plants do take more work, but if tended to properly I think the payoff will out weigh the aches and pains

Farmer, O

[kotoeloncat]

Originally Posted by Orlando

Stem plants do take more work, but if tended to properly I think the payoff will out weigh the aches and pains

Farmer, O

I would say, stem plants do take more work innitially to get the right sized bush

once you get a decent size bush you dont need to trim them as often.

[A Hill]

I have to say everything has already been covered. Prune big and prune often are generally good rules. When most stems are pruned two side shoots will come off the nude so the bush will be twice as thick generally. If you do the first pruning down very low (inch or two off the substrate) then let it grow out then repeat another inch or so up, and repeat, and repeat a few times you can achieve an amazing bush.

It always amazes me that people don't know how to prune stems through no fault of their own let me say.

I've just started using stems again in my 55g and in the next week (I need to get some weights... I'll be doing a lot of pruning and whatnot, pictures will be slow coming though...

Its really great this subforum finally exists.

Happy snipping,
-Andrew

[prototyp3]

Originally Posted by Orlando

Stem plants do take more work, but if tended to properly I think the payoff will out weigh the aches and pains

Farmer, O

I agree, I'm always envious of well trimmed groups of stems.
I guess I want my hobby to have as little "work" as possible to it. I'm not shooting photographs for competitions, I just want something that's pleasant to look at week in and week out. Stems with a fresh flat top cut aren't too sexy.

Originally Posted by A Hill

When most stems are pruned two side shoots will come off the nude so the bush will be twice as thick generally. If you do the first pruning down very low (inch or two off the substrate) then let it grow out then repeat another inch or so up, and repeat, and repeat a few times you can achieve an amazing bush.

Did I open the right forum? So much dirty in this post!

[fishboy87]

I cut my indica halfway down and it temporarily stunted. Does that poster specifically mean to cut the stems 3" above the substrate and replant the tops?

[A Hill]

No, he means cut it three inches from the substrate and let it grow out.

If desired you can replant some of the tops to add to the amount of stems in there already...

Stunting is not a trimming problem.

-Andrew

[monkeyruler90]

great link orlando. i always wondered how to get that full bush look with stems.