9 replies to this topic

[Jen]

I have an amazon sword that is huge, and is creating too much shade right now. My other plants seem to be suffering a bit, i think mostly because i just transplanted them, but I want to make sure the sword it's blocking too much light until they start to take off.

What is the best way to trim it back?

[KentBlokey]

Hi. When I trim mine I take a pair of scissors and cut the largest of leaves right at their base. Some people just take hold of the stem and snap it, I tried this and the whole ruddy thing came up and made a mess, also cutting it neatly won't damage the plant.

[abstract]

yup, like KentBlokey said trim it at the base...just make sure to remove as much as possible or else the remaining stem will rot....after doin it a few times you will probably be able to tell exactly where to snap it off the base without damaging anything and without using scissors

[guppygirl]

Well, I usually just pinch off the biggest, oldest or rotting leaves, and since I'm sure my sword has about a yard or more of roots, it doesn't really matter if I pull at it.
It is better if you use scissors or tweezers though, I've done comparative methods on my cabomba, and it recovers much better.
HTH!

[jimbooo]

it's really technical for me and a lot of thought goes into it.

pick a leaf, hold tightly at the base, give it a tug, throw leaf away.

(but like guppy girl if i pulled out the plant the whole tank would come with it, the roots are HUGE as it's about a year old)

[guppygirl]

Actually if you look at the bottom of my tank, you'll see it's root system spans almost all of the floor of my tank!

[Jen]

my roots are big, but since i just tansplanted it, they are still fairly localized

[ladyhawke]

my roots are big, but since i just tansplanted it, they are still fairly localized

I just started with live plants and have 2 sword plants. When you put them in the tank should you take them out of the container/pot the roots are in and try to bury the roots in gravel, or just leave it the way it is and put it in the gravel? Thanks.

[jimbooo]

remove the pot so the roots can spread. (and the rockwool)

[ladyhawke]

remove the pot so the roots can spread. (and the rockwool)

Great thanks! )