How to trim melting Blyxa

[Sb1415]

Hey guys, have been busy lately and have not been able to start or update journals, but do have all the pics so should be done at some point.

I am dealing with my Blyxa melting recently on the new tank. How do I trim these to ensure that the I get rid of the melting leaves but leave the plant alive. Trimming leaf by leaf seems a hassle can I just trim them all to the crown ? Or would that kill the plant.

P.s I know there are lot of well meaning folks who might want to comment on how to prevent melting and testing water parameters, but that is not my question. I just need help in the technique of trimming these. Thank you.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

Honestly when my Blyxa Japonica melted I just let it melt. I would go in on water change day and swirl my fingers around to try and dislodge any of the affected leaves. Id be very leery to trim it to the crown.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Agreed with @SkaleyAquatics

Give the leaves a light tug. If the whole plant doesn’t feel like it’s gonna come up then you can pluck out individual leaves pretty easily.

 

[Koan]

Pretty sure Blyxa Japonica is the cockroach of aquarium plants







It will bounce back

 

[Dennis Wong]

If you have time, the correct cut point would be the base of each leaf. Trace damaged leaf down to the base, then pinch off between thumb and fore-finger. You can do this without seeing the base if you use your fingers to feel the leaf. Time consuming though.

 

[Sb1415]

Thanks all. I tried picking it leaf by leaf, by going to the base but unfortunately the plant is not rooted yet so kept pulling it out. So now the options are cutting them close to the base with scissors or uprooting them and then replanting them. It has been planted for less than a week so I don’t think the later is a bad idea.

 

[TimmyO2]

Thanks all. I tried picking it leaf by leaf, by going to the base but unfortunately the plant is not rooted yet so kept pulling it out. So now the options are cutting them close to the base with scissors or uprooting them and then replanting them. It has been planted for less than a week so I don’t think the later is a bad idea.

That’s kinda what I did with a bunch of it, I was moving it to a different tank though. I just held it under the surface of the water so I could see the floppy leaves and pulled those.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Thanks all. I tried picking it leaf by leaf, by going to the base but unfortunately the plant is not rooted yet so kept pulling it out. So now the options are cutting them close to the base with scissors or uprooting them and then replanting them. It has been planted for less than a week so I don’t think the later is a bad idea.

This is what I've done in the past. The outer leaves are the oldest; trim them off, leave the center/roots, and with good CO2 and nutrients it will bounce back!

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

If they are that loose then pulling them isn’t a bad idea and plucking the bad leaves that way, and I agree with @Naturescapes_Rocco , it looks like it’s going through hell and when its roots start to take hold, BOOM goes the dynamite. It’s a beautiful plant when its bushy and flowing with the current.