Red Tiger Lotus Question....

[garnpet]

My red tiger lotus in my 26 gallon tank has outgrown it.  The lily pads now cover the complete top of the tank.  Is there a way to trim back this plant (without killing it) so that the lights can reach the other plants?

[Seanc]

oh I want one of thoughts, some one kept out bidding me for them  :x I think you can just trim it trim a couple stalks a week, one or two. then you should be fine. it shouldent kill it.

[gvv]

First, in order to stimulate growth of in-water leaves, you need to cut down all floating leaves. Nothing should happen to the plant itself as the bulb should not be hurt, just cut a little bit higher than roots.
Second... I usually have my lotus throwing the leaves that were high and at some points start covering tyhe surface, but since November as I put them into the new tank they just covering the substrate and not growing tall!!! I have no reasonable explanation, except the lights are bit intense.

[garnpet]

Should be bulb part be in the water?  

The plant was a bit of a surprise for me.  I started with only a bulb and I just threw it into the tank and forgot about it.  About 3 months later I noticed roots coming out of the bulb and they had gone into the gravel and really nice leaves coming out of it.  

The bulb was in a bunch of val and was hidden until it just started growing like crazy.

[gvv]

Should be bulb part be in the water?

My fault... Didn't explain correctly.
Some plants have bulbs, they are young ones; some does not, as they are old and they will produce bulbs. You should cut the leaves above roots/bulb but leave a piece of 1/2-1" long so the plant roots/bulb will not be hurt.
Or leave floating leaves for some time and you will have very nice (but small) flower!
Regards

[garnpet]

Should be bulb part be in the water?  

Sorry, I must have been asleep last night when I wrote that post.  It should say "should the bulb part be in the gravel?

[gonzobluefuzz]

mod please remove this post....I made an oops  :oops:

[gvv]

should the bulb part be in the gravel?

The bulb should be mainly in the substrate - upper part where leaves are growing should be exposed.

Regards