Leilani says that Crypts don't like to be disturbed much and nearly always look like they are dying when first positioned. their leaves will go 'mushy' (melting) and die off but will come back a lot stronger given a week or 2.
Make sure you put them where they are going to stay or they will melt each time you move them.
The Tiger Lotus I don't trim. I yank the stem's base from the bulb. I like the leaves to be mid water and down so they give a 'mushroom' effect.
I do have 3 though and I have purposely positioned them:
1 on the left and sheltered so that it does climb high and give some colour to the rear left of the tank.
2 on the right either side of a Nuphar Lutae (Spatterdock) which is a bright green Lily to give some contrast.which I keep mid to low heights and this shelters the Java Fern from too much light.
When I eventually take some more pics I will add them to my hournal so you can see what I mean. beautiful leaves on Nymphae Rubra (Tiger Lotus) you will really like them when they get their scattered look about them.
Andy
p.s. Sent your plants tofay. Not many I'm afraid as I said before when I did my 'proper pruning this weekend, I found that my recent 'quick' and very slapdash pruning had meant there wern't too many pretty examples so I sent:
2 x Hygrophylia (Unknown Species) This is a great colour under the lights goes from lime green at the bottom to a vibrant purple at the top and is a super stong and fast grower.
2 x Ludwigia Repens. This is a yellowly colour but as it gets towards the light the leaves turn a peachy rose colour. Super fast grower though and you will be pruning each week.
4 x Rotala Rotundifolia. Similar colouring to Repens but a more spindly plant. Very fast grower again and you will have your very own Rotala Forest if you keep cutting and replanting.
