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I've had these wendtii for a while now and they seem to be doing great, but I'm getting a bit stumped on the leaf color. The ones on the far left are wendtii red, which is normal, but what's got me is the brown on the green ones - that's not something I've seen before.

Are those older leaves that might've grown emersed, maybe that's why they're partially brown?

davesTanks wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 5:28 pm Are those older leaves that might've grown emersed, maybe that's why they're partially brown?

I think I trimmed all the emersed growth before planting, so these leaves have developed underwater. The plant might still be adapting to its new environment, though.

I've come across a variant of wendtii that has brown-tinged leaves, seems like that might be what you're dealing with here.

BadgersSong wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 9:00 pm I've come across a variant of wendtii that has brown-tinged leaves, seems like that might be what you're dealing with here.

That's good to know, thanks for the info. I guess I just have to get used to the brownish tint. Still hoping it'll turn more green over time, but at least I know the plant is healthy.

Crypts are finicky plants, super sensitive to change. They die back easy, whether it's a move or a tweak in their environment. To keep 'em thriving, you need strong lighting and some root tabs, but be careful with those - place 'em a ways away from the plant and use some long tweezers to get the job done. Honestly, they're not the best choice for most folks, just 'cause of how delicate they are. If you want something similar but way easier to care for, I'd suggest Java fern instead - it's a great alternative to Crypts.

TankWarrior wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 11:12 pm Crypts are finicky plants, super sensitive to change. They die back easy, whether it's a move or a tweak in their environment. To keep 'em thriving, you need strong lighting and some root tabs, but be careful with those - place 'em a ways away from the plant and use some long tweezers to get the job done. Honestly, they're not the best choice for most folks, just 'cause of how delicate they are. If you want something similar but way easier to care for, I'd suggest Java fern instead - it's a great alternative to Crypts.

I'm actually seeing better growth with these than I ever did with my Java Ferns. The coloration was just throwing me off, but it sounds like it might just be a normal variation.

Hello, thanks for the input. I'll keep that in mind for my next Crypts attempt. Java ferns work well for me, though. My setup's pretty basic - LED or fluorescent strip lighting, 55-gallon tanks, 21 inches tall. Not ideal for Crypts, I suppose.

TankWarrior wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 11:12 pm Crypts are finicky plants, super sensitive to change. They die back easy, whether it's a move or a tweak in their environment. To keep 'em thriving, you need strong lighting and some root tabs, but be careful with those - place 'em a ways away from the plant and use some long tweezers to get the job done. Honestly, they're not the best choice for most folks, just 'cause of how delicate they are. If you want something similar but way easier to care for, I'd suggest Java fern instead - it's a great alternative to Crypts.

I'm definitely no expert, just figuring things out as I go along. This is my first planted tank, so I'm still experimenting with what works and what doesn't. I've been using root tabs and liquid supplements, and I've also got a full spectrum LED lighting setup. I did cut off all the emersed leaves after planting, and that seemed to help.

I've had a bit of trouble with Java Ferns, to be honest. They just don't seem to grow well for me, and I get these brown spots on the leaves. It's not the spores, just random brown spots. I've tried fertilizing them, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

I think it's just one of those things where everyone's water is different, and that affects how the plants grow. Some plants just don't do well in certain water parameters, I guess. Out of curiosity, what's your tank's pH like?

rockyfox wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 4:51 pm I've had these wendtii for a while now and they seem to be doing great, but I'm getting a bit stumped on the leaf color. The ones on the far left are wendtii red, which is normal, but what's got me is the brown on the green ones - that's not something I've seen before.

That's not the brown version, it seems like the plant isn't doing well.