Attack of the Amazonian Sword Plant!

[Shadyr]

I got a small sword plant (Bleheri) to put in my 3G unfiltered tank on my desk. It's not a NPT, just gravel and some plants. I'm having a quandary. Apparently my desk is a wonderful environment to grow a sword plant in. Chicory LOVES it. He rests on the leaves all the time and every time I do a water change, I find a bubble nest in it somewhere (which inevitably gets damaged by the change). But...I think it's outgrowing/outgrown the tank!

I just got a 36G for Christmas that I've just started setting up...I'm guessing it be better suited for that sized tank in the long run? I suppose I could always find Chicory a new young one to replace it with...

Before:



Now:



(working on that algae by reducing Chicory's food a bit and put the tank light on a timer)

[ChoclateBetta]

I have a Chocolate too. The plant gets like a foot.

[ChibreneyDragon]

OMG, Chicory looks like he is having a blast! I saw that top picture and all I could think was, "Well he looks pleased." Is that plant easily separated to put in multiple tanks?

[ChoclateBetta]

In good conditions they grow a stalk and new ones form on it. Remeber they need plenty of Iron.

[Kytkattin]

If you want the next one to remain smaller, keep it potted so the roots can't develop as well.

Also, see if it has more than one crown. If it does, you can split it into multiple plants. :)

[ChoclateBetta]

I dont think that works. But it might. Remeber the Iron.

[Kytkattin]

Bound roots always make things smaller. That is how the Japanese create the bonsai, how trees naturally stay small on the rocky mountains (well, in their case, wind also factors in), and why growing plants sucks if you live where there is a bunch of clay or hardpan near the surface. Plucking the occasional leaf will also help keep the height in check in the future.

Or, even better idea, just get an Amazon Compacta. It is just an amazon sword that is supposed to stay under 6 inches.

[ChoclateBetta]

But different species are different. I have read your supposed to remove big leaves to stunt.

[Silverfang]

I wish my swords grew that well! Very nice. I believe it would do better in a larger tank. And as was suggested, try a mini sword instead?

A very nice looking plant.

[ChoclateBetta]

Watermelon Sword.