Tips on trimming please

[lonewolf]

I currently have just two types of plants in my tank now. 2 hornworts, which are growing like wild fire! and 2 swords, which aren't doing too well. Looks like they have been chewed on or something.

Anyways, I'm looking for a general guildline on trimming. I read through some of the previous posts and they mention something about replanting? Does that mean that when I trim the Hornwort, I can replant what I trimmed off and it'll grow?

I'll eventually put in a carpet planet as well as some other stems, and maype some mosses, so I'm looking for any type of general guildline.

Thanks for any help you guys can provide. I really appreciate it.

[freshfish]

If you've got any plecos in your tank, chances are your swords ARE being chewed on. Could you post some pics up of them?

Does that mean that when I trim the Hornwort, I can replant what I trimmed off and it'll grow?

Exactly.

Trimming stem plants encourages them to "bush" out more. I usually let my stems get at least 6" tall before their first trim, and then I leave at least 2 nodes of leaves on the base of the stem- so trim about 2-3" above the substrate.

On the portion I removed, I strip off the lower few inches of leaves, and then use a pair of tweezers to gently but firmly grab the base of the stem (careful not to crush it) and then pull it under the substrate to replant it.

I usually work my way "forward" when replanting stems- so the oldest base stems (the ones most likely to have lost leaves at the bottom) are in the back, and the newer "fresher" trimmings are in the front.

[ScottFish]

Remember Hornwort/bunch plants are fast growers and need alot of nutrients and light. If your tank does not have enough nutrients, or when the lights age, then they show the first signs of stress: turn pale, drop leaves at the base (long stem), and/or leaves will get ragged. My fast growing "bunch" plants look great but eventually couldn't keep up with the other plants. I've changed the nutrients I've addded to the tank, will soon replace my light bulbs, and will eventually re-introduce more bunch plants.
Sometimes swords take awhile to settle in, and if they are not getting enough nutrients (especially iron --tabs and substrate) they can look "chewed". Once I figured out the right combination in my tank, the swords plants took off and look fantastic.