I have little stemlets of my Reineckii floating around all the time. Growth is pretty modest IMO compared to having it planted. It's especially modest when the initial plant mass is very small (since plant growth is probably closer to exponential growth).
Another alternative in your case would be to trip the apical bud and the last two stunted/deformed leaves and plant it as is... The plant will just grow more axillary buds and grow laterally (and probably give rise to more future shoots/trimmings).
Based on my experience of growing "floating" stem plants, one of the most important factors is making sure it's upright even while floating... I usually accomplish this by using a plant weight and/or tying it down with a piece of string.
If you use the above method, it prevents accumulation of detritus/debris on the leaves which can lead to BGA/other algae colonization, etc. since you can allow for some water flow.
Another alternative in your case would be to trip the apical bud and the last two stunted/deformed leaves and plant it as is... The plant will just grow more axillary buds and grow laterally (and probably give rise to more future shoots/trimmings).
Based on my experience of growing "floating" stem plants, one of the most important factors is making sure it's upright even while floating... I usually accomplish this by using a plant weight and/or tying it down with a piece of string.
If you use the above method, it prevents accumulation of detritus/debris on the leaves which can lead to BGA/other algae colonization, etc. since you can allow for some water flow.