Blyxa Japonica Question

[Jeff1192]

I have had a large clump of Blyxa Japonica in my 90 gallon for quite a while now. I get great colouration and growth but I always had really poor root growth from them. They would barely grow any roots and would often need to be replanted.

Recently I lowered my lighting by an hour a day (I now light about 7.5hrs per day instead of 8.5) trying to defeat an algae problem. It`s been about a month since I did this and I have noticed that I no longer get any floating blyxa plants. I uprooted a few of the plants during my water change tonight and noticed that they had really good root growth. The only thing that I have changed is my light duration and now I`m getting great rootgrowth. This doesn`t really make much sense to me. Anyone have any ideas?

Jeff

[exv152]

Being better rooted probably had more to do with its recent success than the lighting change. Blyxa is a notorious root feeder.

[Jeff1192]

But that`s the mystery with mine. It has always grown really well...but it never rooted for some reason. Now out of the blue (and well over a year after I put it where it is) is started growing TONS of roots (like I expected it to do from day 1). The only change was the decrease in lighting, which to me would not cause this.

[charlie]

That sure is a strange one, like you i highly doubt the reduction of 1 hr with the lights had anything to do with it.
Errol

[touchofsky]

I am just throwing this out there, maybe the plant is now putting more energy into growing roots rather than top growth since the lighting is reduced.  When planting in an outdoor garden, it is often recommended to trim off a lot of top growth, to give the plant a chance to grow roots, maybe reducing the lighting in this case did the same thing. 

[charlie]

I am just throwing this out there, maybe the plant is now putting more energy into growing roots rather than top growth since the lighting is reduced.  When planting in an outdoor garden, it is often recommended to trim off a lot of top growth, to give the plant a chance to grow roots, maybe reducing the lighting in this case did the same thing. 

That logic does have some merit.

[sas]

I am just throwing this out there, maybe the plant is now putting more energy into growing roots rather than top growth since the lighting is reduced.  When planting in an outdoor garden, it is often recommended to trim off a lot of top growth, to give the plant a chance to grow roots, maybe reducing the lighting in this case did the same thing. 

Sounds like good reasoning to me as well.
When buying flowers for the garden be it perennials or annuals you are supposed to pick off all those beautiful blooms so the plant puts its' energy into root growth so it has a good start after transplanting.

[Jeff1192]

Would make sense....I hadn`t thought about it that way. Whatever it is I like it because it means a whole lot less replanting....hhaa.

[sylros]

Sounds like good reasoning to me as well.
When buying flowers for the garden be it perennials or annuals you are supposed to pick off all those beautiful blooms so the plant puts its' energy into root growth so it has a good start after transplanting.

Yes, we're supposed to do that but who has the heart to pick them off...I can never do it. lol. I too would tend to agree with TouchofSky. Also, I too have this plant, and they've never floated away even if there aren't any root pellets in that area of the substrate. I read somewhere they didn't need it...I discovered though that my fish like to nibble on it if I miss a feeding. Maybe that's why I don't feel they are growing fast, although there is new growth. Could you take a picture of it and post it? I would be interested in seeing how it looks in a mature state and how big it gets. Thanks...whenever you have a chance. Sylvie

[Jeff1192]

Here's the blyxa in my tank....ever since it put down roots (finally) it's been growing like an absolute weed.  I pulled a bunch out to start my 15 gallon shrimp tank and there is still tons left.