How to trim aquatic plants when they grow too long
In detail, for netizens who are concerned, the contents about aquatic plants, specifically how to trim aquatic plants that have grown too long, are as follows:
In an aquarium with aquatic plants, most of the plants grow quickly, and once they become too lush or reach the water surface, they must be trimmed. However, many beginners do not know how to trim aquatic plants that have grown too long. Trimming aquatic plants not only stimulates better metabolism but also allows for creating a preferred aquascaping landscape.
I. The leaf trimming method for trimming aquatic plants in an aquarium
The leaf trimming method involves cutting off excessive leaves of aquatic plants to prevent them from shading each other and affecting normal growth. When trimming leaves, select old leaves, lower leaves, and incomplete leaves for trimming; after trimming, ensure that each leaf of the plant can receive light.
Applicable range: The leaf trimming method is suitable for rosette aquatic plants and fern-like aquatic plants, such as crown grass, chili grass, fountain grass, wave grass, black wood fern, and iron crown grass.
II. The division method for trimming aquatic plants in an aquarium
When rosette aquatic plants grow too large, have too many leaves, and have split into multiple plants from the roots, division trimming is necessary. At this point, simply trimming leaves can no longer promote healthy growth of the plants because they not only have dense leaves but also a profuse root system. When dividing aquatic plants, remove them from the roots, wash away the mud and sand from the roots, and then break off all small plants from the original plant and replant them in the aquarium.
The division method is relatively complicated and is usually done once a year, mainly suitable for chili grass, crown grass, and lotus plants.
III. The topping method for trimming aquatic plants in an aquarium
The topping method is the most commonly used trimming method for stem aquatic plants because most stem aquatic plants grow quickly, making topping a frequently used technique. When stem aquatic plants grow too tall, their stems can be cut short with scissors. Generally, the length of topping can be determined based on the height of the aquarium, and the trimmed stems can be planted directly into the substrate to become new plants. Since the leaves of stem aquatic plants near the water surface are more lush and colorful, topping will significantly reduce the ornamental value of the plants, a state that will last until new top buds grow 1-3 weeks later.
Topping not only trims aquatic plants but also makes stem aquatic plants grow more lush, as when the top bud is removed, the lower stem nodes will grow multiple new buds. Under suitable environmental conditions, multiple new buds will grow simultaneously, and when they reach the original height, one plant may become several plants, making the aquatic plant cluster much denser than before.
The topping method is suitable for stem aquatic plants, such as palace grass, blood heart orchid, little red plum, and small centipede.
IV. The thinning method for trimming aquatic plants in an aquarium
After multiple toppings, stem aquatic plants will grow too lush, and topping can no longer be continued. Because each topping will make the plants several times denser, over time, the plant cluster will become too dense and mutually block light, easily causing lower stems and leaves to rot due to lack of light. The thinning method is then used for trimming. Thinning is similar to thinning seedlings when growing crops, which involves removing plants that are at a disadvantage in the growth cluster. Generally, plants with thin stems and small leaves, poor growth, or abnormal growth are directly pulled out, that is, removing one plant every few plants, without removing only one side or part of the plants. After thinning, the growth space of the aquatic plants will become broader, allowing the remaining plants to grow better.
V. The pruning method for trimming aquatic plants in an aquarium
Some aquatic plants have lush root systems that easily intertwine in the substrate. Using the thinning method will cause many plants to be pulled out when removing one, so to reduce the density of the plants, the pruning method is used. Pruning aquatic plants is similar to pruning flowers and fruit trees, involving removing excessive branches. When pruning aquatic plants, prioritize removing long branches and poorly growing branches to ensure that the plant cluster is open and each plant receives enough light.
VI. The edge sweeping method for trimming moss-like aquatic plants in an aquarium
The edge sweeping method is a special trimming method for moss-like aquatic plants, named after the technique similar to a hairdresser's edging. Since moss-like plants grow radially, they will spread some budlets after a period of growth, which need to be swept away to avoid affecting the aesthetics of the aquarium. After sweeping, use a net to collect the cut plant fragments to prevent them from floating to other places to grow.
VII. The thinning method for trimming aquatic plants in an aquarium
Like the edge sweeping method, the thinning method is also a trimming technique for moss-like aquatic plants inspired by hairdressing methods, aiming to reduce the thickness of long-growing moss clusters. When moss-like plants grow too lush and thick, the top layer can be trimmed evenly with scissors, leaving the lower layers to continue growing. Thinning can also prevent lower leaves from rotting due to lack of light, causing the entire moss cluster to float away from the decorative material.
VIII. The pinching method for trimming aquatic plants in an aquarium
The pinching method is not intended to reduce plant density but to expand it as much as possible, making the plants grow dense and shrub-like in a short time. This method is often used in landscape aquascaping because plants have an apical dominance characteristic; if the terminal bud exists, the lateral buds will not grow or grow slowly. Manually removing the terminal bud can stimulate the plant to grow lateral buds quickly. Pinching is a term used in agriculture for fruit trees, tea trees, and some flowering plant cultivation, meaning to remove the terminal bud and the tip of the sufficient lateral bud, making the plant branches more numerous. Typically, pearl grass, dwarf pearl grass, and Eupatorium plants use this trimming method when planted for landscaping because they will grow thin and tall if not pruned. Additionally, if you want other stem plants to grow dense quickly after planting, this trimming method can also be used.
IX. The stem retention and root removal method for trimming aquatic plants in an aquarium
The stem retention and root removal method is the least commonly used trimming method, involving cutting the stems of stem aquatic plants along the roots without leaving any part on the roots and then planting the cut stems into the substrate to grow new roots. This method is suitable for plants with rich and beautiful top leaves but sparse leaves on the lower half of the stem, which can easily cause the stem to wither after topping. This method is also used in aquascaping to avoid temporary ugliness after topping. Typically, plants like red butterfly, Cuban leaf bottom red, and red sun grass are trimmed using this method. However, the drawback of this method is that the remaining roots can rot in the substrate, and if the stem is not cut cleanly, the remaining roots may sprout new small buds.
The above [] introduces a comprehensive explanation of how to trim aquatic plants that have grown too long (9 trimming methods), hoping to solve your problems with green plants.