Hygrophila Serpyllum

[JayP]

Ok, I've done a brief search and know that a number of you have used this in your Dutch tanks. I think I read @Unexpected even attempted a "moss wall" with it.

I received some from @Burr740 some time ago and it's of course, growing like crazy. Knowing it would need to be trimmed and formed meticulously in a competitive tank, what are your secrets, short of constant trimming? Are there others that have tried it as a climbing vine on some type of trellis and if so, is having such a thing in a competitive Dutch tank an OK thing? I like the looks of it and want to continue growing it in the new farm tank, but I also want that tank to be kind of a practice Dutch or hybrid Dutch type scape.

 

[Burr740]

Ok, I've done a brief search and know that a number of you have used this in your Dutch tanks. I think I read @Unexpected even attempted a "moss wall" with it.

I received some from @Burr740 some time ago and it's of course, growing like crazy. Knowing it would need to be trimmed and formed meticulously in a competitive tank, what are your secrets, short of constant trimming? Are there others that have tried it as a climbing vine on some type of trellis and if so, is having such a thing in a competitive Dutch tank an OK thing? I like the looks of it and want to continue growing it in the new farm tank, but I also want that tank to be kind of a practice Dutch or hybrid Dutch type scape.

Sounds like youre discovering that its pretty dang fast in a high energy set up. This is a good thing really, because its very easy and resilient. You can really be merciless trimming it. Which means you can practice different techniques for different looks with it

For the easiest method to do as little maintenance as possible, you can just pinch off and toss any runs that grow outside the desired border. And/or replant these sprigs where you want to expand it to. Then the middle or whatever parts you leave untouched will just get thick and taller and taller. Whatever you dont like just pinch it off

As for your question whether a trellis type thing is acceptable in a true Dutch, any type of hardscape is fine as long as its covered in plants. Feel free to go crazy! lol

 

[Unexpected]

Once you have it spread, just keep up on the runners. This plant can be trimmed hard and just comes back looking better.