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I recently got a medium amazon sword plant. About 6 inches tall. Really nice lush green leaves. I was wondering how to propagate sword plants? I know java ferns have those little babies growing from the tip of the leaves, what about swords? Do they do the same? When can i start to propagate my swords?

Hi,
The plant will grow runners much like Val, and along
the runner a bud will form that turns into a plantlet.
Guide the runner (once it reaches about 4 inches long)
towards where you want the new plant to grow. The bud
will start to grow roots, weigh the newly forming
plant down so that it is against the surface of the
substrate, and then leave it alone for at least two
weeks. That will allow it to grow the roots into the
substrate and anchor itself. Once the developing
plant is 3-4 inches tall, you can sever the runner
from the new plant, by snipping the runner on either
side of the new plant, leaving about a 1/4 inch of
runner on either side. Use sharp scissors.
Or, you can let the runner continue to grow, sprouting
new plants at a regular interval along the way.
Simply, slowly, bend the runner as it grows so the
new plants are where you want them.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi Frank,

Thank you for the infomation.
One more question.
Right now, I have the roots planted very shallow inside the gravel. I wonder do I have to plant it deeper or is
it fine as it is.

Jimmy

For optimal propagation try some root fertilizer tabs, they really like them and will have great response to them, also what i do with mine is, the runner as frank mentioned, always is developed toward the top of the tank so it's sometimes hard to guide it, what i do is i just let it go, many daughter plants will develop as it grows, so when you think you have enough or actually in my case, when i don't like anymore how the plant looks with the large runner, i just cut it. i divide the daughter plants leaving 1in of the runner from both sides and plant them right away on the substrate giving them a space to grow and develop.

Swordpalnts develop really large root systems so it may appear that is not deep, but in fact it has already grew some roots down the substrate.

Hi Jimmy,
Your question brings acouple of things to mind and
just incase, I'll mention them.

First, substrates for planted tanks should be between
2 and 3 inches thick. If yours is not, you may want
to increase the depth. There will be a temporary
"set back" as the tank does a mini-cycle (the nitrogen
cycle), and uprooting the plants, adding more gravel,
and replanting them, will cause them to wilt and regrow.

When planting plants, you want to have the roots buried
in the gravel to the crown (the point where it changes
from plant to root). Don't bury the crown. To some
novices, that would seem too shallow, but actually is
just right.

Generally speaking, once a plant is "planted" you should
leave it alone for about two weeks or longer, depending
upon the plant, so that it gets accustomed to its new
resting place, and begins new roots. During that time
it is drawing on its stored reserves of nutrients, and
starting (through the new roots) to draw from its
surroundings. If you uproot it within those early
weeks, you will damage the plant, and lengthen the
acclimatization process, and the stress could be too
much causing it to die.

Lastly, Amazon Swords are considered heavy root feeders.
That is, they get their nutrients almost exclusively
from the substrate.
For now, with your tank already established, things should
be fine. However, once the plant starts growing and
sending out runners, you may want to add fertilizer
in the form of plant tabs or plant sticks. You push
them into the gravel near (not in) the plants roots.
Watch the plant for signs of deficiency such as yellowing
or poor looking new leafs. I would not just add them
as they are generally not needed in the beginning.
They are only needed once the tanks's supply is used
up, and that depends upon alot of things such as the
type of plants, how many and what size the fish are,
and how many plants are in the tank.

It seems that Falstaf and I were writing our comments
at the same time.
Frank


[span class="edited"][Edited by FRANK 2004-07-14 09:44][/span]

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--