ashappard

Ok, the name sounds gimmicky and I was hesitant to get it
but it is different than the other R.macrandra vars that I keep.

note the leaf shape and the shine that is on the tops of the leaves.
these are thicker and more pointed than my other R.macrandra's.
also the color is easier to maintain (probably where it got the name)
when other vars start to fade because of less than optimal conditions
this one does keep its color, which is nice if you are trying to balance the
needs of other plants with the R.macrandra.

It reminds me of Rotala magenta aka R.macrandra 'narrow' and
I wonder if this is a selection from that. we've noticed that R.magenta leaves will sometimes widen

anybody have this one or have experience with something similar?

Zapins

No! But when will you have enough of it to sell me some?

Great looking plant!

Tex Gal

Love the gloss on the leaves. I have the Red R. Macrandra and it doesn't have that. I see how the leaf shape is pointier. (Is that a word?) I bet it really shines in the tank.

ashappard

I like it because I dont have to twist around the tank parameters so much to get a nice red from it. Its also a bit slower to grow than my other R.macrandra vars, so less of a hassle with trimming. I should have some to sell soon Zapins.

mrkookm

Hey Adam I would love to try the super Red var, slow growth sounds good to me! When you trim next time let me know pls!

Here is mine, its not the super red though and kinda leggy due to lower lighting, but I get descent color from it. I have my light mounted kinda high though.

ashappard

yeah those do look nice, good color.
Have you tried higher PO4 relative to NO3 to make shorter internodes? I had some success with that.
I have to be careful though, other spp in my tanks dont care much for that if I take it too far.

did you get some R.macrandra 'japan' from me? I know I sent it to somebody recently.
Its the one with big floppy leaves. Super red should be ready for a trim soon (didnt I say that in July?). This time I really mean it.. I think I have spread it to a few people since July.

mrkookm

Actually that is the current N&P config

The lighting mounted really high though, from the base of my lamp to the water its 11", my tank is 24"H and he lamps are also old too, so their output has diminished too.

I received some new plants and I don't stress them with higher lighting due to the drastic change from what they are used to, so I go easy on them until they get adjusted to their new environment and nutes routines

No, I did not get this one from you, this I bought from aquaforest a while back. As a matter of fact I also think it's the Japan var, it does have the big floppy leaves as you call it and the wavy edges. It has potential but the lighting needs to be increased, I'm not in the tweak tank mode yet though.

armedbiggiet

don't know it is super red or not but I hear they have a new Rotala macrandra from Japan... I would try to get some on my next order.

ashappard

R.macrandra 'japan' and 'super red' are two different vars. Both are nice, and stable variants.
super red is slow growing compared to the other large leafed R.macrandra variants - also thicker leaves, more pointed / narrow and of course the deep magenta coloration. R.macrandra 'japan' has larger leaves. They can get quite large given good conditions and are nearly as wide as long. Otherwise it is like the traditional R.macrandra.

mrkookm

I trimmed it yesterday, tweaked traces, N&P is at 20:3, increased my lighting and this is what I'm getting. For my next tank I'm going shallow so that I don't have to make my plants grow like trees to give me some descent color or go crazy with lighting.