Keeping stems looking nice 24/7 - APE - Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

04-10-2009, 12:46 AM

Orlando,
I noticed you use mostly stem plants in your tanks, i am assuming some are client tanks. How do you keep the stems looking nice 24/7. Once a month or so i have to drastically cut my stems back the keep the stand healthy and not overgrown. Do you just spend the time and replant the tops each time? Or do you have a technique for keeping the lower ends from becoming unsightly?

Previously i had set-up tanks for other people and i limited my selection to ferns swords and anubias/mosses because i could not think of a way to keep 100+ gallon stem tanks looking good without having the owner complain monthly.

AquaZilla · 04-10-2009, 12:52 AM

Stem plants require massive pruning every 2 weeks. The week that I skip they get so large (24"+) that I will trim them back to about 4-5" from the substrate..

At this point they look like crud and almost look dead

But in due time they will grow back thick and full...The key is to trim properly and imagine what they would look like a month down the road. So remember to trim them in a way you would want them to look when all filled in. I hope that made sense.

Stems love scissors, so don't be afraid to hack back

-Orlando

P.S

I have many tanks that are moss and anubias type tanks

cronus · 04-11-2009, 08:21 PM

Well I have been keeping stems for quite a while and this is the first I have considered pruning the tops off and leaving the rooted bottoms, if I am reading this correctly. Did you always do this Orlando, or is it something you just decided to do to save yourself some time? It would seem to me that it would require the plant more energy (and time) to regrow that way.

Like an idiot I picked up some Ambulia a few days ago... it is growing insanely fast. I may have to 1) get rid of it, 2) move it to my low light tank, or 3) try Orlando's pruning method.

I find that I end up heavily pruning most stems all at the same time... if I decide to use this method I'll likely consider staggering pruning of different stems.

AquaZilla · 04-11-2009, 08:49 PM

I never replant the tops. I always trim the stem at a desired height and trashed the rest.

Been doing it this way every time I trim the tank.Stems will grow back fuller and will have a solid established root base.

Stems love scissors

-O

cronus · 04-12-2009, 11:54 AM

Ok then I will try this out today. Thanks! And BTW can you give me a link where I can look at more of your aquascaping work?

AquaZilla · 04-12-2009, 01:10 PM

When trimming don't be afraid

Just keep in mind that it will look terrible when you do this..There wont be any leaves on the stems and they will look like bare sticks poking out of the substrate.

Here is a perfect example from Gahazanfar.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...-timeline.html

04-13-2009, 08:11 PM

Thanks

*Nuggs* · 04-20-2009, 10:54 AM

Thanks for the info!

dewalltheway · 04-21-2009, 02:40 PM

A couple weeks ago I got up the nerve to trim my rotala colorata in this manner and it has grown in beautifully! I wish I would have taken a pic but i didn't. I am going to be doing a major rescape & trim tonight and will snap pics to post.

Also O, if you want to send me a PM when you are going to trim your tops I might take them instead of you tossing them.

AquaZilla · 04-21-2009, 02:59 PM

Will do!

I'm building a series of racks for stems and rarities

-O

04-10-2009, 12:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
ShaneSmith Guest Posts: n/a	Keeping stems looking nice 24/7 Orlando, I noticed you use mostly stem plants in your tanks, i am assuming some are client tanks. How do you keep the stems looking nice 24/7. Once a month or so i have to drastically cut my stems back the keep the stand healthy and not overgrown. Do you just spend the time and replant the tops each time? Or do you have a technique for keeping the lower ends from becoming unsightly? Previously i had set-up tanks for other people and i limited my selection to ferns swords and anubias/mosses because i could not think of a way to keep 100+ gallon stem tanks looking good without having the owner complain monthly.

04-20-2009, 10:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
Nuggs Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Davidson, NC Posts: 73	Thanks for the info! Last edited by Nuggs; 04-20-2009 at 11:54 AM.

04-21-2009, 02:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
dewalltheway Almost Guru Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 140	A couple weeks ago I got up the nerve to trim my rotala colorata in this manner and it has grown in beautifully! I wish I would have taken a pic but i didn't. I am going to be doing a major rescape & trim tonight and will snap pics to post. Also O, if you want to send me a PM when you are going to trim your tops I might take them instead of you tossing them. __________________ Journals: Tranquility ~~ Restful Hideaway Visit ~~ *Riparium Suppy* ~~ For all your Riparium Needs

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04-10-2009, 12:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	Stem plants require massive pruning every 2 weeks. The week that I skip they get so large (24"+) that I will trim them back to about 4-5" from the substrate.. At this point they look like crud and almost look dead But in due time they will grow back thick and full...The key is to trim properly and imagine what they would look like a month down the road. So remember to trim them in a way you would want them to look when all filled in. I hope that made sense. Stems love scissors, so don't be afraid to hack back -Orlando P.S I have many tanks that are moss and anubias type tanks

04-11-2009, 08:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
cronus Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 15	Well I have been keeping stems for quite a while and this is the first I have considered pruning the tops off and leaving the rooted bottoms, if I am reading this correctly. Did you always do this Orlando, or is it something you just decided to do to save yourself some time? It would seem to me that it would require the plant more energy (and time) to regrow that way. Like an idiot I picked up some Ambulia a few days ago... it is growing insanely fast. I may have to 1) get rid of it, 2) move it to my low light tank, or 3) try Orlando's pruning method. I find that I end up heavily pruning most stems all at the same time... if I decide to use this method I'll likely consider staggering pruning of different stems.

04-11-2009, 08:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	I never replant the tops. I always trim the stem at a desired height and trashed the rest. Been doing it this way every time I trim the tank.Stems will grow back fuller and will have a solid established root base. Stems love scissors -O

04-12-2009, 11:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
cronus Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 15	Ok then I will try this out today. Thanks! And BTW can you give me a link where I can look at more of your aquascaping work?

04-12-2009, 01:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	When trimming don't be afraid Just keep in mind that it will look terrible when you do this..There wont be any leaves on the stems and they will look like bare sticks poking out of the substrate. Here is a perfect example from Gahazanfar. http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...-timeline.html

04-13-2009, 08:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
ShaneSmith Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks

04-21-2009, 02:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	Will do! I'm building a series of racks for stems and rarities -O