Amazon Sword Discoloration

[remdog]

I have an Amazon Sword, along with four other plants, in a 10G tank which is in the last stages of fishless cycling. All the plants seem to be doing well, but I have noticed that the Amazon Sword has been developing some brown discoloration on some of its leaves. The PH of the tank has been generally holding at around 7.6, and at this point the nitrates are off the chart because I have yet to perform a water change prior to adding fish. I just want to stay on top of things, and would like to correct a problem, if indeed it exists, before any real damage occurs to the plants.

Cheers...

Rem

 

[Ben M]

hi, are the leaves that are browning leaves that were on the plant when you bought it? if so, they are probably emersed leaves, which die off when you put the plant into your tank. as they de off pull them off at the base as low as possible.

the emersed leaves will all die off, but will soon be replaced with new leaves.

cheers

 

[remdog]

hi, are the leaves that are browning leaves that were on the plant when you bought it? if so, they are probably immersed leaves, which die off when you put the plant into your tank. as they die off pull them off at the base as low as possible.

the immersed leaves will all die off, but will soon be replaced with new leaves.

cheers

Thanks for the reply. At least one of the leaves I recognize as having had discoloration when I purchased the plant. I'm not quite sure about the others, which isn't a good commentary on my powers of observation. I will watch with more precision as days go on. I have noted, however, that there is quite a bit of new growth coming from the base of the plant. The other plants are a Java Fern, a Peacock Fern, and a Wisteria, all of which seem to be thriving. I also have an Anubias whose leaves completely fell off before I was able to plant it. I did plant the roots hoping that it would sprout new growth, but so far nothing has happened.

Cheers...

Rem

 

[jpeterson]

Isn't the tank a tad to small for amazon swords?

 

[dayzofspeed]

have you "planted" the anubias, because the rhizome shouldn't be buried but either fixed onto something or placed on top of the gravel

 

[remdog]

Isn't the tank a tad to small for amazon swords?

This could very well be true. We'll see how things go. I have the feeling that a bigger tank is in the offing, and if that is the case I will just transfer the plant when it outgrows its current home.

Cheers...

Rem

 

[remdog]

have you "planted" the anubias, because the rhizome shouldn't be buried but either fixed onto something or placed on top of the gravel

Your observation just points out to me my ignorance of how to deal with plants (I'm a newbie). I have removed the part of the plant that was in the gravel and placed it on top. Hopefully it isn't too late.

Is there a resource on this site for finding plant info for beginners?

Cheers...

Rem

 

[dayzofspeed]

i'm a bit of a newbie myself and still trying to come to terms with growing plants underwater but the answer to that is yes, i'm sure if seen a sticky post on the subject, but as i'm new to the forum myself i dont know how to put a link to it from this post, but there is also a mass of info in general on the net (i usually just google aquarium plants for beginners and see where that takes me). but i do know that both anubias and java fern need to be attached or at least not have the rhizome buried as this will lead to it rotting, although you can plant the roots in the substrate if you dont want the plant attached to something. one other thing the amazon sword is a heavy root feeder so could be in need of feeding and needs fairly deep substrate. some people put a root tab under the plant which acts as a slow release fert, i am no expert on this subject but thats just some of the info i have picked up on. the resource centre is at the top of planted tanks forum think its subtitled parc or something like that......... and good luck

 

[ian]

Although, swords do feed through the root. They WILL take nutrients through the water column just as well as through the root. It is quite old hat thinking to think that certain plants are heavy root feeders. Plants are very adaptable to situations.

this is the link, have a read, theres loads of info in here...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/296418-planted-aquariums-resource-center/

 

[remdog]

Although, swords do feed through the root. They WILL take nutrients through the water column just as well as through the root. It is quite old hat thinking to think that certain plants are heavy root feeders. Plants are very adaptable to situations.

this is the link, have a read, theres loads of info in here...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/296418-planted-aquariums-resource-center/

Thanks very much for the link. I'm sure all the info I need is contained there.

Cheers...

Rem

 

[JoshuaA]

Isn't the tank a tad to small for amazon swords?

I would definitely disagree, I had 3 Amazon swords store bought (eBay) where they are obviously grown hydroponically or whatever the method is called. They stayed in that tank for 3 months and they were grown to their maximum size for that tank, after their leaves shed their true aquatic leaves came through and haven't had any problems with it. All in a 10G tank also, with a small fish stock however I dosed Excel and Flourish and had about 1.1wpg

I think Amazon swords are lot more adaptable than some people think.