Cryptocoryne Beckettii

[FF_Guest1439]

Some of this plant has started to turn red. Is this normal? I've finally sorted my fertz problems and the plants are doing well. But I don't know everything about the plants I have.

Also, this plant has never spread. I moved it once to another location and it has massive amounts of roots. But does not spread out. (No shoots) I don't have any root tabs, but use the 2hr aquarist APT complete formula, which all my plants are doing well.

 

[NannaLou]

I think it looks like something is growing on the leaves….? Some form of algae?

 

[FF_Guest1439]

I think it looks like something is growing on the leaves….? Some form of algae?

No, it's the colour of the plant. There is very little algae in my tank right now. I've pumped it full of API Prevent Algae over the last few months

 

[Byron]

The colour on the upper surface of the leaves in photo #2 is due to some issue, which cold be nutrients, light, disturbing the roots, water parameter changes...many things. I would agree that the leaves are dying on this one plant. I don't see this in the first photo, with one or two leaves excepting. Has anything changed recently? Water params, lighting (replacing the old tube can do this), additives to the water...?

 

[FF_Guest1439]

The colour on the upper surface of the leaves in photo #2 is due to some issue, which cold be nutrients, light, disturbing the roots, water parameter changes...many things. I would agree that the leaves are dying on this one plant. I don't see this in the first photo, with one or two leaves excepting. Has anything changed recently? Water params, lighting (replacing the old tube can do this), additives to the water...?

No that's the weird thing. the lights are on a timer, have been for months, the only thing I've done to them is remove the reddish colored leaves, I have been slacking on the water changes, but all other plants are doing well. I have increased the fert dose though, something I'm gonna go back to the recommended amount and see if that stops the reddening.

 

[Byron]

The red on the underside of the leave is not a problem, many species have this. From what you mention, any of those individually or collectively could be behind this plant dying.

 

[FF_Guest1439]

For the most part, the plant is doing better than it ever has. Well since I sorted which fertilizer actually had the right stuff in it for the plants. Not curling, taller leaves than I've ever had them, and a lot more leaves.

But it does not spread. Which for a plant that's meant to send out shoots, it never has. and I've had it for a few years now. But I'll reduce the fert dose and see if it helps.

 

[itiwhetu]

Crypts don't tend to send out shoots. The new plants tend to bud off from the parent plant so it can take many years for crypts to cover a large area. The older leaves can die back over time. Remember that Crypts hate being moved, I think your plants look great just let them do their thing. If you want them to cover more area just pull a few of the young plants away from the main group.

 

[FF_Guest1439]

Crypts don't tend to send out shoots. The new plants tend to bud off from the parent plant so it can take many years for crypts to cover a large area.

Really, I read online they send out shoots, with no mention of it taking years. Would explain why they have never spread out though.

I only ever moved them once a few years ago.

 

[Byron]

Really, I read online they send out shoots, with no mention of it taking years. Would explain why they have never spread out though.

I only ever moved them once a few years ago.

Cryptocoryne reproduce by two methods. When grown emersed, they will flower and produce seeds; this is not possible if they are grown permanently subnmersed. Vegetative reproduction is therefore more usual in an aquarium.

This involves sending out runners similar to Vallisneria or the chain swords in Helanthium. I planted a C. crispatula "balansae" in my 33g a few years ago, and it grew new leaves for several months. It developed a new plant about four inches from the original, but nothing beyond this. After a couple years, I moved it into the 90g, and within a few weeks there were plants popping up all over the place, up to about 20 inches distant from the parent.

The main issue though is stability. Anything can send these plants into a melt, some species less but most will turn to mush though the roots often remain alive and new plants may arise in time. Any change in water (parameters, flow, etc) and any change in lighting can cause this.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Crypts don't tend to send out shoots. The new plants tend to bud off from the parent plant so it can take many years for crypts to cover a large area. The older leaves can die back over time. Remember that Crypts hate being moved, I think your plants look great just let them do their thing. If you want them to cover more area just pull a few of the young plants away from the main group.

The crypts in my 10G send out runner roots and produce new plants regularly...

 

[FF_Guest1439]

The crypts in my 10G send out runner roots and produce new plants regularly...

That makes me instantly dislike you then

The main issue though is stability. Anything can send these plants into a melt, some species less but most will turn to mush though the roots often remain alive and new plants may arise in time. Any change in water (parameters, flow, etc) and any change in lighting can cause this.

TBF it's only recently that the plant has been prospering. It took a long time and many different fertilizers to find one that worked. As it was explained to me, most fertilizer companies reply on your tap water having some micronutrients in it (Even though they say they are a complete nutrient product) But my water is softer., so missing some of the nutrients that are not in the fertilizers

 

[Slaphppy7]

That makes me instantly dislike you then

TBF it's only recently that the plant has been prospering. It took a long time and many different fertilizers to find one that worked. As it was explained to me, most fertilizer companies reply on your tap water having some micronutrients in it (Even though they say they are a complete nutrient product) But my water is softer., so missing some of the nutrients that are not in the fertilizers

LOL....I have to cull crypts (wendtii) from my 10G tank regularly, they grow like mad

 

[anewbie]

I have something that was sold as a wenditti but it is around 8-10 inches high; anyway it started as a small plant and in a year has grown to nearly 1/4 of my 40B.... I'm not gonna ask it how it spread but it just gets larger and larger. The biggest problem it is having now is well dealing with the shade from floating h'ra.

 

[Stan510]

I've had Crypts like C. wendtii and C. parva grow fast in planters with potting soils,and topped with gravel under 4x 40watt fluorescent lights. Compared to my present way is no contest a winner in the old 100 gallon with lights compared to my 240 gallon with much less watts per gallon. But eventually- and my point- is that they will send out pups one day.
I really don't see anything wrong- Crypt's are artists at color changes depending on the lighting. Its pretty typical for them to be bought green and then turn brown under better lighting..or other colors.
Just try your best not to disturb the root system. Weakens them to be moved around.