jsalemi

Ok, so one of my amazon swords threw up a shaft to the surface, with nodes with leaves growing about every 6". I noticed recently that there are roots growing into the water at the node points, so I'm wondering -- can I cut the spike/shaft at that point and plant those nodes to get new plants?

Wolfgang8810

you should wait untill the "nodes" are atleast 1/4 the size of the origional plant before cutting and replanting.

jsalemi

Ok, thanks -- good to know.

Dino

I wait until the roots are at least an inch long before I cut.
Cut the stem about an inch away from the plantlet as well.

jsalemi

They're longer than that already (don't know why I didn't notice them earlier). When you say an inch away, do you mean below, above, or both?

Dino

Both.
The stem you have left, on both sides, will rot away in a few weeks.

Jim

yup, you have a daughter plant! cool. To be honest, you can probably cut it off now and replant it. I read what everyone elso wrote, and they're all right, more or less. The best thing is to use your own judgement. If the daughter plant looks healthy, had nice little roots and leaves, then it can go into the ground. Or you can leave it for now, they look cool as runners, and if it's near the surface of the tank you may get a flower.

jsalemi

Actually, it did poke out of the top of the tank, right by the hole where the filter is, but the exposed leaves withered and died. I guess they didn't get enough light up there.

Jim

hmm, or if it was near your light it might have been too hot for it. Or it might not be the right variety of swordplant. My pygmy chainswords started for the top at first, but after a couple weeks the chains got it right and shot out sideways along the ground. Now they're spreading everywhere, but they stay only on the bottom.

JohnB

Well I just trimmed 3 nodes off of one of my amazon swords. Should I allow them to float at the surface or try to get them to anchor in the substrate? They don't have anywhere near the same amount of roots as the momma plant.
thanks for help
John B

Jim

I would go ahead and plant them. Their roots will grow as they get bigger.

JohnB

Just an update. After snipping off the nodes, I noticed the leaf growth was not doing very well after being planted and in most cases the leaves browned. I increased the wattage and the baby amazons are doing better now.

Jim

cool, glad to hear they're doing good!