Is branching a bad thing

PeteyPob · 04-05-2005, 05:15 AM

Hi all,
I have been watching my stellata grow and notice that it likes to branch alot. Is this a bad thing? It has abotu five of them which are about 5". I havent cut them because I wanted to let it grow to the surface to see if they would turn red...they didnt. What am I doing wrong with this plant? I dose 1/4 pottasium sulfate, 1/8 phosphate, and no nitrate because of bio-load giving enough, 1 1/2 TBS of csm+b(plus extra iron) in 250ml of h20. I have 2x65 watt lamps come on in the morning, and the other 2x65 watt lamps an hour later. How do you guys get them to turn pink on top?
Pete

e.lark · 04-05-2005, 05:57 PM

I wish my E. stellata would branch

I cant get the original branches to propagate, they all just get taller. Ive left the base of one alone for 3 weeks and nothing has branched from it.

I cant figure out how to get them to turn pink either. Ive got over 4 wpg MH and they change alittle but not like I've seen in others. Besides dosing csm+b I added extra flourish Iron and ended up with green water.

good luck

shalu · 04-05-2005, 07:25 PM

Pete, some Mg might help. Try 1tsp epsom salt after water change.

I recently figured out that I had a major magnesium deficiency after slacking off to weekly water changes and started dosing epsom salt. I am getting some really red color on new growth from Ammania, esteralis stellata 'broad leaf', and L. glandulosa, etc.

PeteyPob · 04-05-2005, 10:17 PM

where can I purchase epson salt? GWonline or can that be bought at a retail store? Thanks!
Pete

shalu · 04-05-2005, 10:21 PM

Walmart, or many grocery chain store, in the household drug section. A few dollors gets you a 4lb box. Epsom salt is a must have for Discus hobbiest, often used for discus constipation.

PeteyPob · 04-05-2005, 10:28 PM

I just tested my GH from my aquarium, I did a WC this morning and it mesured out at 15 drops to turn green. Is this high ir should I still dose the epson salt?Thanks!
Pete

shalu · 04-05-2005, 10:37 PM

I don't know, most people would say you don't need it. But it depends on if the GH has mostly Ca or it also has substantial Mg. My Gh=8, sometimes to 13, but I am convinced it does not have much Mg at all. My Lamotte GH and Ca kits are coming, so I will know exactly. Right now I am just enjoying the improvements brought upon by Mg dosing.

Maybe you don't need extra Mg, but a little won't hurt. Just stop using it if you don't see improvements after a week or two and keep it for future discus use.

PeteyPob · 04-05-2005, 10:50 PM

Ill give it a try, cant get them pink any other way

. Thanks Shalu, always a big help

Pete

Anthony · 04-05-2005, 11:59 PM

My original stems of stellata won't stop branching. So far they have made around 15 new plants. I just wish I had room to grow them all.

PeteyPob · 04-07-2005, 05:57 AM

I made a trip to my local WalMart and found the epsom salt, pretty cheap too

. I added a tsp into the tank on the day of the water change(Tuesday).Tested the water tonight and with one tsp of epsom salt it only bumped it up a degree in hardness. I was curious though, should I be mixing it with the csm+B plus extra iron and dosing it like that? Is one tsp enough or should it be one tbs? How long until I see some result if it works? My sunset hygro looks a little pale as well, damn these red plants

. I just got in my rotala macranda and red temple, They are already starting to grow and hope they grow red

. I refuse to GIVE UP!

Thanks a bunch!
Pete

Anthony · 04-07-2005, 01:18 PM

I haven't tried macrandra yet, but can tell you that red temple is a very easy red plant to keep.

shalu · 04-07-2005, 08:16 PM

Other "red" plants I have without requiring low nutriets: Ludwigia glandulosa, Ludwigia ovalis, rotala magenta, rotala wallichii. Limnophila aromatica can be very red for me in high nutrient levels as well. I have warned you about Eusteralis stellata when you first asked about it, it seems to stay green in high nutrient levels. I think it is quite beautiful in green color. Lost most of it to recent deficiency, nursing a single tiny stem right now.

I got my Lamotte kit and it actually says I do have some Mg in tap water based on GH and Ca measurements. So I am not too sure about Mg deficiency anymore, but will monitor tank consumption. Anyway, I will continue to dose epsom salt for a while. You can dose more if you want to, not going to hurt.

PeteyPob · 04-07-2005, 08:32 PM

Good stuff, where did you buy your test kit? Ill just continue to play it out I guess, maybe Ill come home one day to a pink tipped stellata

. Hey shalu if you are wanting to get rid of any stems of the lug glandulsa and wallichii I would be happy to pay for some. What if I call my water company would they be able to tell me how much ppm of magnesium there is in the water?
Pete

shalu · 04-07-2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteyPob

Good stuff, where did you buy your test kit? Ill just continue to play it out I guess, maybe Ill come home one day to a pink tipped stellata

. Hey shalu if you are wanting to get rid of any stems of the lug glandulsa and wallichii I would be happy to pay for some. What if I call my water company would they be able to tell me how much ppm of magnesium there is in the water?
Pete

I will PM you when I get some extra stems, maybe in a few weeks or a month. yeah, calling water company is the best option. I bought from
here

04-05-2005, 05:15 AM	#1
PeteyPob Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 930	Is branching a bad thing Hi all, I have been watching my stellata grow and notice that it likes to branch alot. Is this a bad thing? It has abotu five of them which are about 5". I havent cut them because I wanted to let it grow to the surface to see if they would turn red...they didnt. What am I doing wrong with this plant? I dose 1/4 pottasium sulfate, 1/8 phosphate, and no nitrate because of bio-load giving enough, 1 1/2 TBS of csm+b(plus extra iron) in 250ml of h20. I have 2x65 watt lamps come on in the morning, and the other 2x65 watt lamps an hour later. How do you guys get them to turn pink on top? Pete

04-05-2005, 05:57 PM	#2
e.lark Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: kansas city Posts: 235	I wish my E. stellata would branch I cant get the original branches to propagate, they all just get taller. Ive left the base of one alone for 3 weeks and nothing has branched from it. I cant figure out how to get them to turn pink either. Ive got over 4 wpg MH and they change alittle but not like I've seen in others. Besides dosing csm+b I added extra flourish Iron and ended up with green water. good luck __________________ ernest 58g

04-05-2005, 07:25 PM	#3
shalu Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,675	Pete, some Mg might help. Try 1tsp epsom salt after water change. I recently figured out that I had a major magnesium deficiency after slacking off to weekly water changes and started dosing epsom salt. I am getting some really red color on new growth from Ammania, esteralis stellata 'broad leaf', and L. glandulosa, etc. __________________ Truvu 100g Flourite, wet/dry, AHSupply 302w PC, PinPoint controller 10gallon15w T6+15w T8 55gallon40w T6 ODNO4x, no CO2. Discus grow out. 10gallon Tonina tank, 2x15w T6 ODNO 4x --------------------- I will do aquascapes after I collect all the plant species and grow them to perfection.

04-05-2005, 10:21 PM	#5
shalu Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,675	Walmart, or many grocery chain store, in the household drug section. A few dollors gets you a 4lb box. Epsom salt is a must have for Discus hobbiest, often used for discus constipation. __________________ Truvu 100g Flourite, wet/dry, AHSupply 302w PC, PinPoint controller 10gallon15w T6+15w T8 55gallon40w T6 ODNO4x, no CO2. Discus grow out. 10gallon Tonina tank, 2x15w T6 ODNO 4x --------------------- I will do aquascapes after I collect all the plant species and grow them to perfection.

04-05-2005, 10:37 PM	#7
shalu Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,675	I don't know, most people would say you don't need it. But it depends on if the GH has mostly Ca or it also has substantial Mg. My Gh=8, sometimes to 13, but I am convinced it does not have much Mg at all. My Lamotte GH and Ca kits are coming, so I will know exactly. Right now I am just enjoying the improvements brought upon by Mg dosing. Maybe you don't need extra Mg, but a little won't hurt. Just stop using it if you don't see improvements after a week or two and keep it for future discus use. __________________ Truvu 100g Flourite, wet/dry, AHSupply 302w PC, PinPoint controller 10gallon15w T6+15w T8 55gallon40w T6 ODNO4x, no CO2. Discus grow out. 10gallon Tonina tank, 2x15w T6 ODNO 4x --------------------- I will do aquascapes after I collect all the plant species and grow them to perfection.

04-05-2005, 10:17 PM	#4
PeteyPob Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 930	where can I purchase epson salt? GWonline or can that be bought at a retail store? Thanks! Pete

04-05-2005, 10:28 PM	#6
PeteyPob Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 930	I just tested my GH from my aquarium, I did a WC this morning and it mesured out at 15 drops to turn green. Is this high ir should I still dose the epson salt?Thanks! Pete

04-05-2005, 10:50 PM	#8
PeteyPob Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 930	Ill give it a try, cant get them pink any other way . Thanks Shalu, always a big help Pete

04-05-2005, 11:59 PM	#9
Anthony Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Covington, LA. Posts: 1,071	My original stems of stellata won't stop branching. So far they have made around 15 new plants. I just wish I had room to grow them all. __________________ 40 gallon SeaClear Acrylic, 192 watt Orbit Lunar PC, Filstar XP2, Filstar XP1, JBJ Regulator, Rhinox 5000 glass co2 diffusor, 9 watt UV sterilizer, Hydor Inline Heater, Pool Filter Sand substrate Filstar pimp #53 How comes shoppings so stupid, looks at all this stuff I haves, what do I do's with it.

04-07-2005, 05:57 AM	#10
PeteyPob Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 930	I made a trip to my local WalMart and found the epsom salt, pretty cheap too . I added a tsp into the tank on the day of the water change(Tuesday).Tested the water tonight and with one tsp of epsom salt it only bumped it up a degree in hardness. I was curious though, should I be mixing it with the csm+B plus extra iron and dosing it like that? Is one tsp enough or should it be one tbs? How long until I see some result if it works? My sunset hygro looks a little pale as well, damn these red plants . I just got in my rotala macranda and red temple, They are already starting to grow and hope they grow red . I refuse to GIVE UP! Thanks a bunch! Pete

04-07-2005, 01:18 PM	#11
Anthony Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Covington, LA. Posts: 1,071	I haven't tried macrandra yet, but can tell you that red temple is a very easy red plant to keep. __________________ 40 gallon SeaClear Acrylic, 192 watt Orbit Lunar PC, Filstar XP2, Filstar XP1, JBJ Regulator, Rhinox 5000 glass co2 diffusor, 9 watt UV sterilizer, Hydor Inline Heater, Pool Filter Sand substrate Filstar pimp #53 How comes shoppings so stupid, looks at all this stuff I haves, what do I do's with it.

04-07-2005, 08:16 PM	#12
shalu Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,675	Other "red" plants I have without requiring low nutriets: Ludwigia glandulosa, Ludwigia ovalis, rotala magenta, rotala wallichii. Limnophila aromatica can be very red for me in high nutrient levels as well. I have warned you about Eusteralis stellata when you first asked about it, it seems to stay green in high nutrient levels. I think it is quite beautiful in green color. Lost most of it to recent deficiency, nursing a single tiny stem right now. I got my Lamotte kit and it actually says I do have some Mg in tap water based on GH and Ca measurements. So I am not too sure about Mg deficiency anymore, but will monitor tank consumption. Anyway, I will continue to dose epsom salt for a while. You can dose more if you want to, not going to hurt. __________________ Truvu 100g Flourite, wet/dry, AHSupply 302w PC, PinPoint controller 10gallon15w T6+15w T8 55gallon40w T6 ODNO4x, no CO2. Discus grow out. 10gallon Tonina tank, 2x15w T6 ODNO 4x --------------------- I will do aquascapes after I collect all the plant species and grow them to perfection.

04-07-2005, 08:32 PM	#13
PeteyPob Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (33/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 930	Good stuff, where did you buy your test kit? Ill just continue to play it out I guess, maybe Ill come home one day to a pink tipped stellata . Hey shalu if you are wanting to get rid of any stems of the lug glandulsa and wallichii I would be happy to pay for some. What if I call my water company would they be able to tell me how much ppm of magnesium there is in the water? Pete

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