Archivarium 2004

Laskey · Benefactors Joined: 27 Nov 2004 Location: Northern Germany

I have an Echinodorus radicans like this:
http://www.acuariosleuka.com/E._radicans.JPG

It turns out, it didn't take a bleaching (for algae) very well and the leaves are turning pretty yellow. I think I need to clip most, if not all of the leaves. Should I consider the plant un-recoverable? Or should I leave the roots and parts of healthy stalks in and hope for the best? Thanks, Laskey

number6 · Moderators Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada

It will recover. I would not be so quick to throw it away. I have only 1x managed to kill a sword plant. I left it out of water and in the sun all day by mistake! Laughing

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Discus Man is gone... I remain... #6... I am not a number I am a free man!

Laskey · Benefactors Joined: 27 Nov 2004 Location: Northern Germany

Thanks. Now I'm just wondering if I pruned it right. If you notice the pic in the link above, the stems are long and end in a broad leaf. I clipped it at the base of the leaf for each stem. Now I have just a bunch of long stems with no leaves on them. I know leaves won't grow back on those stems.

But I was wondering, should I have removed the entire stems? The reason I'm asking is because at the tips of the stems, nothing heals, and you can see rot setting in.

I thought leaving the stems would be beneficial because at least in some ways, they do some of the functions that leaves do (unless I'm mistaken) in gathering light for the rest of the plant and so forth.

Should I just trim them every other day where I see rot appear, while hoping for new leaves to come at the bottom?

What would happen if I get rid of the stems and there's nothing left but roots? Can roots survive without anything poking through the surface (leaves, stems) to provide light?

Thanks, Laskey

number6 · Moderators Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada

the stems are fine. The plant will reclaim some nutrients and the rest will brown and fall off. At that time they can be pulled off. if that is just too ugle to do, then feel free to pull off the majority of the stems. Leave a few and a tiny new leaf will shoot up real quick to let the plant live.
_________________
Discus Man is gone... I remain... #6... I am not a number I am a free man!