Vellisneria too long

I have 2 vellisneria plants in my 15gal, and they have now grown so that most of the leaves are floating on the surface. At first when his started to happen it looked quite cool, but now it just lokks a mess. Can I trim them some how?

If so, do I cut the leaves to the length I want them or do I cut them near the bottom of the plants?

Thanks

Gwenz

 

I do not know much about Vals but I know that when the Lace plants started putting out leaves that were way too long the book said to pull out the extra long ones to make them put out shorter ones from the center of the plant. It worked, but you may want to get someone who has Vals to answer.

Rose

 

OK thanks. So if I pull them out from the bottom it should work?

Thanks

Gwenz

 

As far as I know but I wouldn't do many of them at a time. Your plant will need to have more than half of its leaves to survive.

Rose

 

Ok thanks. I'll just take a few out at a time then.

Gwenz

 

I love Vallisneria plants - they add somewhat of a wild look to your tank, don't they? I'm definitely getting some of them for my next tank. The interesting thing is there are many types of Vallis plants, one actually growing up to 39 inches (1 meter) in length!!! There are also Vals as small as only 6-8" in length. A good thing about Straight Vals is that they are rather undemanding and easy to grow.

 

I agree with the 'easy to grow' bit. They grow really quickly, but yes, they do give somewhat of a wild look to the tank. I like them, they are just a bit long at the moment.

Gwenz

 

Gwenz, there are Vals that are smaller and suitable as background plants for smaller tanks. For a 15 gallon tank, Vallisneria Americana could be nice - it grows no more than 8" in height, or Vallisneria Tortifolia which grows anywhere between 6 - 10" in length.

 

I believe that you cut them at a 45 degree angle where you want near the top of the water and they will grow back and you'l have to cut them again. I don't think you're supposed to pull them out but I'm almost positive that's what you're supposed to do. You can try cutting one leaf and see if it grows back and if it doesn't then you can pull it.

Austin

 

Thanks atm I will try that.

Isabella - I will have a look for them, but how would I know which I already have?

Thanks

Gwenz

 

I'm not sure, but I suppose you could recognize them by how tall they are, by how think/wide the leaves are, and by  whether the leaves are spiral-like or straight. There are straight and spiral as well as tall and short Vals. You can go on Plant Geek and check, or just research all Vallisnerias and read about them.

 

Ok thanks. I'll try and find out what kind I have.

Gwenz

 

Well I trimmed the ones I have, on sunday and they look much better. So far none of the leaves have died, so I'm thinking they are OK.

Gwenz