To trim or not to trim, that is the question.

[seangee]

I am currently in the very early stages of a silent cycle. My hygrophila polysperma is showing great growth after a week so this morning I trimmed half of my 12 stems and replanted the cuttings. My logic was cutting encourages growth and bushing out so more leaves for photosynthesis, and I now have 50% more of these plants than I had yesterday.

Any flaws in my logic?

 

[Colin_T]

You can lay the plant along the substrate and weight it down. Then you get a whole lot of new growth coming up along the entire length of stem. This is a quick way to get a lot of coverage quickly.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

You can lay the plant along the substrate and weight it down. Then you get a whole lot of new growth coming up along the entire length of stem. This is a quick way to get a lot of coverage quickly.

I agree. This is what I do with my Anacharis at the back of my tank. (Just make sure the actual plant isn't in the substrate, or it may rot)

 

[Martyn87]

All of the above are spot on, I used to cut one stem into 2-3 stems. Hygrophilia grows so fast you will be fine...just feed the beast as its a very hungry plant. If you see any pin holes, light leaves, light veins or dark edges your not feeding enough, its a very good plant at telling you when it wants something.