Samolus ParvifloraRed leaves melting

[Pepere]

Samolus parviflora red melt


This us the second time this has happened for me with this plant.

Grows happily and then suddenly develops dark spots on leaf margins near middle or end and the plant melts.

I have pruned back a lot of melting leaves, but it is continuing.

Last time, I withered to rootstock and then recovered.

Safe t sorb base in mesh bags, bdbs cap. Ugf to flow wc ferts through the safe t sorb.

After 60% water change I front load N 12 P 1.2 K 15 and then daily dose N 2 P 0.2K 1.66 for the rest of the week.

0.45 iron weekly as a proxy with micros gla Edta Dtpa.

Testing tank daily shows nitrates steady at around the 10-20 ppm mark. 50% dilution shows it closer to 20 than 10 ppm nitrates and stays pretty much there daily.


Plant is happy with this soup for months…


Melted leaves


I dont know why this photo is sideways. I have retaken it in both portrait and landscape and it looks fine in my photo album…. But here it is in pain…




Just last Friday it was happy and beautiful.

@Burr740 @Dennis Wong

Anybody else?

 

[techman81]

You may have already checked this: Samolus Parviflora

 

[Pepere]

You may have already checked this: Samolus Parviflora

The 2 hr aquarist is always my first stop when I am looking into a plant species care.

 

[Dennis Wong]

The plant isn't high demand - in the sense that you don't need very high levels of ferts/CO2 to make it grow well. However, as with many species, the plant will produce adaptation responses to levels that are changing. i.e. If the plant adapts to 10ppm of NO3, and you raise it to 20+ppm, you will see a [slight] adaptation response - this manifests as algae and early than expected deterioration on older leaves. I think a doubling of water column N levels is enough fluctuation to see this adaptation response in many species - especially in tanks where plants are mostly water column fed.

This is one of the main pain points that tanks that rely heavily on water column dosing face: how to keep levels consistent within a narrow range. I haven't written a full updated page on this, but you can read about how to balance water column nutrient levels through dosing/testing/front loading in the current Rotala macrandra page:

How to grow Rotala macrandra & its varietals

Rotala macrandra is a popular aquarium plant that has the reputation of being hard to grow well. It favors soft-water and requires good quality lighting and consistent fertilization to grow into good form. Tip stunting of Rotala macrandra is a common issue, especially for hard water tanks...

www.2hraquarist.com

 

[Koan]

you can read about how to balance water column nutrient levels through dosing/testing/front loading in the current Rotala macrandra page: How to grow Rotala macrandra & its varietals

Thank you!! This is an amazing Illustrated explanation of weekly fertilization inconsistency + buildup.

The level of detail on exactly how this fluctuation affects different plant cultivars is extremely helpful

Please keep us posted on your updates! This looks like the next big step on the path to making gorgeous stable tanks accessible to everyone

 

[Pepere]

However, as with many species, the plant will produce adaptation responses to levels that are changing. i.e. If the plant adapts to 10ppm of NO3, and you raise it to 20+ppm, you will see a [slight] adaptation response - this manifests as algae and early than expected deterioration on older leaves.

you can read about how to balance water column nutrient levels through dosing/testing/front loading in the current Rotala macrandra page:

As usual Dennis I learn things I didnt know reading your pages.

I have however been frontloading my macros to replenish them after a water change. I do a 2/3 water change and dose back in N12 P 1.2 K 15 to get macros back up close to where they were pre water change and then daily dose during the week in an attempt to replenish what is consumed daily.

I have tested through the course of the week and have not noted discernible variation of nitrates through the week as a proxy.


I have not made any changes in dosing, water change schedule, lighting, or co2 injection for months.



For now the Samolus melt has been dealt with pragmatically.

I swapped it putting it in another tank with same water parameters and put in a Tiger lotus in its place as I wait for S Repens, Cardinal Lobelia and Stargrass to recover from heavy trimming hoping it is ready by October 26…