Pruning Eusteralis Stellata (pogostemon Stellata)

[DaveW]

I have quite a few stem of Eusteralis Stellata, which are growing very well. The top quarter has a bit of algae on it. So, if I prune out the top third will it send out side shoots OK, or will it suffer because of the pruning? It's not only to get grid of the algae but it's also to bush them up.

 

[George Farmer]

It should grow new shoots. Just ensure you use really sharp scissors or knife to ensure you don't damage the stems by crushing them.

The fact that you are growing a demanding plant like E. stellata is a good sign so well done.

 

[DaveW]

Thank you very much.

I just need to stop growing the algae.

 

[George Farmer]

I just need to stop growing the algae.

Is that a "cry for help" I hear?

What's your specs? Light, CO2, NO3, PO4, micro dosing, planting types and density etc.

 

[DaveW]

Well, I've upgraded my lighting and installed pressurised co2 just before christmas, but also had a ammonia spike. It's all sorted now and I've just started fertilising. But your advice would be grateful. Stats are:

2.2 wpg
co2 at 25'ish
no3 at 10, after fertilising last night
po4 at 1, again after fertilising last night

I have 25-30 stems of polysterms, 20 or more vallis and growing, 20'ish stems of e/stellata, a couple of smallish groups of java fern, a couple of anubias nana, a couple of tiger lilies ...... and a few other plants.
With the ammonia spike the no3 and po4 went down to almost zero, and the plants seemed to slow right down. The last week I've been fertilising, and I'm aiming to keep the no3 at 10 and the po4 at 1. I had BA which is almost gone. But I have fuzz/beard algae, hair algae and possible a bit of BBA.
I know it's early days with the fertilising but any help or advice would be great.

 

[George Farmer]

Try upping your CO2 to 35 or even 40ppm - keep an eye on your fish though.

How fast is you polysperma growing? This is a good indicator plant for NO3 in particular IME. If it's going slightly whitish, yellow or pink (unless it's the pink variety) then dose more NO3. You don't mention GSA so I assume you're PO4 dosing is fine.

 

[DaveW]

The polysperma is starting to pick up pace now, as I said things started to slow right down. I have a couple of spots of GSA on my anubias, missed that one.
I'm using dry ferts in distilled water, as the pinned. Hopefully things will improve with fertilising, but I'll up the co2 now.
One good thing is the plants are growing well.

 

[DaveW]

I've pruned the Eusteralis Stellata, I can't see why it won't bunce back, as it's grow as good as my polysperma.

The co2 is just over 40ppm for the last couple of days now. But I don't think it will help with all the algae.

As you can see by the picture, sorry for the poor quilty, the algae is pearling like mad.

I have been reading about overdosing with Seachem Flourish Excel, but would it be safe with the plants I have?