Why is one of my amazon swords stunted?

Trying to figure out a bit of a mystery. When I set up my dirted 29 gallon last month (I have a separate build thread for this), I purchased two swords, and planted one on the left foreground of the tank and the other on the right foreground of the tank. At the time, the one on the left was somewhat larger, but the one on the right was not tiny itself. Here's a pic of the two on setup day:



The one on the left was a Petco purchase; the one on the right from my LFS...Fast-forward a month to today. After melting (both were apparently grown emersed and I eventually lost all of the old leaves from both), the one on the left has rebounded quite nicely, as you can see below. The one on the right is...stunted? You can just make it out below in the right foreground. (don't confuse it with the big crypt to the far right or the corkscrew val behind it)



So I'm wondering what is going on here? Clearly the tank/substrate is capable of growing a nice looking sword plant based on the one on the left. Has anyone else seen something like this? Should I dig up the plant and try replanting? Should I trim off the leaves as well on the stunted one? As an aside, I'm wondering if I somehow did this, either by accidentally moving the sword (though this happened to the other as well), or by sloppy trimming of the emersed stalks with a scissor not made for trimming (but again, I did this to the other as well). I don't think it is a question of lighting--the water lettuce that is currently above it is at about its greatest coverage today but has not been like this for the entire time (planning to pull some in the next day or two).

Any thoughts on cause and/or ideas for getting this sword going would be appreciated!

 

Trying to figure out a bit of a mystery. When I set up my dirted 29 gallon last month (I have a separate build thread for this), I purchased two swords, and planted one on the left foreground of the tank and the other on the right foreground of the tank. At the time, the one on the left was somewhat larger, but the one on the right was not tiny itself. Here's a pic of the two on setup day:
View attachment 813269

The one on the left was a Petco purchase; the one on the right from my LFS...Fast-forward a month to today. After melting (both were apparently grown emersed and I eventually lost all of the old leaves from both), the one on the left has rebounded quite nicely, as you can see below. The one on the right is...stunted? You can just make it out below in the right foreground. (don't confuse it with the big crypt to the far right or the corkscrew val behind it)
View attachment 813270

So I'm wondering what is going on here? Clearly the tank/substrate is capable of growing a nice looking sword plant based on the one on the left. Has anyone else seen something like this? Should I dig up the plant and try replanting? Should I trim off the leaves as well on the stunted one? As an aside, I'm wondering if I somehow did this, either by accidentally moving the sword (though this happened to the other as well), or by sloppy trimming of the emersed stalks with a scissor not made for trimming (but again, I did this to the other as well). I don't think it is a question of lighting--the water lettuce that is currently above it is at about its greatest coverage today but has not been like this for the entire time (planning to pull some in the next day or two).

Any thoughts on cause and/or ideas for getting this sword going would be appreciated!

I would make sure the crown of the amazon sword is not buried in. Also if there are any old leaves I would trim them to stimulate new growth. Trimming the roots before planting also stimulate growth. Sometimes plants take longer to root in and grow.

 

Could it be because the small one is shaded by the wood and floating plants, maybe not getting as much light as the other?

 

I would make sure the crown of the amazon sword is not buried in. Also if there are any old leaves I would trim them to stimulate new growth. Trimming the roots before planting also stimulate growth. Sometimes plants take longer to root in and grow.

Thanks Red Onion. All old leaves are long gone. I’ll try posting a close up pic tomorrow to see what everyone thinks of the planting.

Could it be because the small one is shaded by the wood and floating plants, maybe not getting as much light as the other?

Possible, but seems unlikely, at least to me—was just looking back at the build photos and the sword never really seemed to be in the deeper shade. But a good idea, and thanks!

 

Sorry for the long delay. I actually think that the stunted sword is starting to grow, but I am still attaching a few photos, just in case they give anyone ideas.

 

I'm not seeing the logic to it not being the light

 

I'm not seeing the logic to it not being the light

You may be right, but there is only partial/light shade from the water lettuce usually, still usually looks noticeably brighter than the crypt to the right, and usually nearly as bright as the other sword...