Hi all,

I found a few of these stems at my lfs last week. First time I have ever seen them 'live and in person'. Didn't recognize it at first as I thought it was Eusteralis but I guess they changed the nomenclature???

Anyway, some research indicates they need good c02, nutirents, lights, etc.
I am at dc green, full EI, etc.

My stems seem to be doing well, good growth, no algae, new leaves, etc.

I had a question or two:

1. Research from several sources indicates that some stems MAY go thru a period where they no longer grow and not much can be done about it.

Is this true in your experiences? If so, any way to combat it?

2. Max height you all have gotten? Or a height they seem to look 'best' at?

They are very beautiful and I can't wait until they get some more height. Are all about 6" now and growing more leaves daily.

Thanks in advance.

Gerry,

I just mail ordered some P. Stellata and should receive it on Friday, unless they short ship me. I'll let you know how it does for me.

I've been playing with R. Wallichii. It grows like a weed for a while and gets near the top of my 21" high tank. However, once the base of it starts getting shaded, algae grows on the lower leaves. The algae just turns the leaves blackish; it doesn't really grow out anywhere. I'm at 30ppm CO2 and using EI with pretty high light, so I'm not sure what else to do with it. I can cut the tops off and start over, of course. I'm hoping P. Stellata will be a little easier to work with for me.

It's a weed.

Folks use to have issues with it in the past.
It was the "old Tonia".

Good high NO3 and CO2, no issues then.

Regards,
Tom Barr

In general, what would be the recommended minimum NO3 ppm for P. Stellata? Mine hangs out between 10 and 20ppm usually (and, yes, I calibrated my NO3 test kit!).

Hi Gerryd,

IME the stunting issue with P.S. (and I suspect in other plants as well) occurs when nutrients fluctuate too much, esp. with NO3 and CO2 going up and down in too short a time frame. I suggest keeping all nutrients stable (daily dosing is highly recommended esp. with NO3) and P.S. should grow fine for you.

Best regards,
Detlef

I think this is great overall advice in general.
These two parameters account for 99% of the variation issues folks have.

Mg, Traces, etc, they are easy to dose, but you still need to do the same things with them. Stable.

This works well at low light with even more variation and lesser variation as you increase light intensities.

As the rates of CO2/NO3 uptake increase, so does the instability and the practical ability to keep and maintain a stable level/concentration of CO2 and NO3 and so on down the line..........

I've had plants 6" in diameter and as tall as the tanks they where in 24-28".
The new shoots form like mad.

Very aggressive plant, like Gloss and other weeds.

Regards,
Tom Barr

All,

Thanks so much for the replies.

Ted,

Give a little more separation to the wallichi so it gets more light/current at the bottom of the plant. Alternately, you can strip the lower leaves and then hide the bare stems behind another plant, rock, or wood. Or make a gravel mound so it is higher in the tank, but doesn't have to be as tall.

Good luck with your new plants.

Tom,

At bottom they are all weeds

If you give it the right stuff, it will grow.

I agree about it being aggressive.

After 10 days I am now at 3" diameter and getting bushier by the minute it seems. Can't wait till they get some height.

I looked and at least two of my personal library books state that this is a difficult plant and to watch out for it. Both published in the last 5 years.....

Detlef,

Excellent advice as Tom states. I am keeping a close eye on all parameters and so far so good.

It is growing like a weed, so something must be right.

It is a lovely plant. My dwarf cichlids love to hide in it already......

Thanks, Gerry. I'll give your recommendations a shot.

Ted,

Please take a pic if possible of your stellata now and I will do the same.

Then let's compare in a few weeks. May be interesting to see the results.

Excellent idea, Gerry. I won't actually get it until tomorrow morning, assuming it actually shipped. If it doesn't come in, I'll ask my LFS to order it for me and hopefully get it fairly soon. I'm trying to figure out where to make room for the stellata in my tank. When I first bought this 50G tank, I thought it was huge ... now I never have room for everything I want.