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I just set up a planted tank a couple days ago and I'm curious about pruning. The ludwigia, which was already pretty tall when I planted it, has a couple leaves out of the water now. I'm thinking I should probably trim those off, but I'm not sure how soon I should start pruning in general. Also, dwarf sag can be trimmed, right?

oceanwise wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 8:12 am I just set up a planted tank a couple days ago and I'm curious about pruning. The ludwigia, which was already pretty tall when I planted it, has a couple leaves out of the water now. I'm thinking I should probably trim those off, but I'm not sure how soon I should start pruning in general. Also, dwarf sag can be trimmed, right?

I'd recommend giving it a few weeks, just to let the plants establish themselves and show some new growth before pruning.

The Sagittaria subulata, commonly referred to as "dwarf" sagittaria, can be a bit of a misnomer - its typical height is around 10-15cm, but when planted close together, the leaves can reach up to 60cm. I've had this plant grow to 12-15 inches under moderate light when densely planted. I wouldn't recommend trimming it, but if you're looking for a smaller alternative, Helanthium tenellum could work. Both plants' growth habits can be influenced by aquarium conditions like light, nutrients, and planting density.

Stem plants, such as Ludwigia, tend to grow rapidly towards the light, resulting in vibrant growth at the tips, but potentially yellowing and dying lower leaves, depending on the light intensity. You can uproot, cut off, and replant the growing tips. Let the plant's growth rate dictate how often you prune.

I'd advise against pruning newly introduced plants until they've had a chance to settle in for a few months. This allows them to establish a strong root system and adapt to the tank's conditions.

If a plant is growing too tall, try laying it on the substrate and weighing it down. This will encourage the plant to grow into the substrate, promoting the development of new stems.