Amazon Sword Trouble

[alstermania]

I have had amazon swords in all my planted tanks, but for some reason I started having problems. I went to a newly discovered LFs by my house that sells all types of aquarium plants. I ended up buying 4 large amazon swords for my angel fish tank. Fast foward two weeks and the leaves on all the amazon swords started turning transparent! I use special substrate with plant additives and only have problems with my swords and no other plants in the tank. Could my LFS be at fault, or is something wrong with my tank all together??

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Amazon swords will melt when moved like this. Is there new growth coming through at the base?

 

[DrRob]

A lot of amazon swords are grown emmersed (because it's faster and easier) on the farms.

The emmersed leaves can't survive underwater, but the plant will throw up new underwater leaves.

 

[alstermania]

Thanks for the replies! I have seen route growth around the plants, but was wondering how long will this process take of sheding these old leaves?

 

[Teephphah]

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think you can (maybe even should) help the process along but tearing off the old, damaged, decaying leaves at the base. The plant will waste a lot of energy trying to fix leaves that can't be saved instead of putting out new growth if you don't. I'd try to avoid being TOO aggressive with your trimming, but I think plucking the most damaged leaves off will help get you where you want to be sooner.