how to Propagate rotala easily

[maxi8]

I've been trying to propagate Rotala in my 20-gallon tank but the stems keep melting. I'm using CO2 and high light, but the new cuttings just don't take. What am I missing?

[manal]

Rotala can be tricky with cuttings. Are you trimming the stems at a 45-degree angle? Also, what's your nitrate level? They need at least 10 ppm to thrive. I've had success with ADA Aquasoil and weekly 50% water changes.

[Ridgely]

Melting usually means unstable conditions. How long has your tank been running? If it's less than 3 months, the biome might not be mature enough. Try dipping the cuttings in Seachem Flourish before planting.

[Dectiva]

Yo, I just chuck my Rotala trimmings into a bucket with some tank water and they root in like a week. No fancy stuff, just good ol' neglect. Works every time, lol.

[streamer]

Yo, I just chuck my Rotala trimmings into a bucket with some tank water and they root in like a week. No fancy stuff, just good ol' neglect. Works every time, lol.

That's wild, man. I might try that. My tank's too pristine, maybe it's stressing them out.

[maxi8]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. My tank's been up for 5 months, nitrates are around 15 ppm. I'll try the 45-degree cut and Flourish dip. Appreciate it!

[manal]

Glad to help! Let us know how it goes. Also, check your light duration. Rotala needs about 8 hours, but too much can cause algae, which competes with the plants.

[Ridgely]

If you're still having issues, consider lowering the CO2. Sometimes too much can shock the cuttings. Aim for 20-30 ppm, not the 40+ some folks push.

[Dectiva]

Seriously, though, the bucket method is foolproof. Just sayin'. My Rotala's so thick now I gotta trim it every other week. No CO2, no fancy lights, just vibes.

[streamer]

Glad to help! Let us know how it goes. Also, check your light duration. Rotala needs about 8 hours, but too much can cause algae, which competes with the plants.

Yeah, my light's on for 10 hours. Maybe that's why my Rotala's struggling. Gonna dial it back.