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Rotala's that grow straight

1742 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  macclellan
I have 2 kinds of Rotala species growing in my high light/tech tank "green" and "colorata" - here http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/aquascaping/57755-silver-lining-after-storm-3.html]. The "green" turns sideways and puts out a lot of adventitious roots and sideshoots.
OTOH, the "colorata" also puts out side shoots but also grows vertically

I prefer the look of vertical growth. I was wondering if anyone knows which kinds of Rotalas grows vertically?
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Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan' and the R. sp. 'Green' hang over. The R. mexicana 'Goias' grows prostrate.

Most of the rest grow pretty much like the colorata. R. mexicana 'green' and ramosior are more erect and less branchy. You could also use Pogostemon erectum, which looks a lot like some Rotalas, and was passed around as one for a while. ;)
Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan' and the R. sp. 'Green' hang over. The R. mexicana 'Goias' grows prostrate.

Most of the rest grow pretty much like the colorata. R. mexicana 'green' and ramosior are more erect and less branchy. You could also use Pogostemon erectum, which looks a lot like some Rotalas, and was passed around as one for a while. ;)
Thanks for the info Cavan!

Formerly know as R. verticillaris? yes I saw the posts!. I actually have some in an outdoor container. When I bought it from someone at the forum, I thought it was like any other Rotalas. Little did I know that its a large diameter stem plant, too big for my 60-P.
In very high-light tanks I've found it very difficult to grow Rotala green vertical. In fact sometimes it grows like a carpet if the light is very strong. In moderate tanks it grows vertical and then cascades over to create that effect many want.
In very high-light tanks I've found it very difficult to grow Rotala green vertical. In fact sometimes it grows like a carpet if the light is very strong. In moderate tanks it grows vertical and then cascades over to create that effect many want.
I think my setup qualifies for high light! Oh well live and learn.
R. walichii grows straight no matter how much light you throw at it in my experience. I gave up on green and colorata for just the reason you mention.
Rotala sp. 'vietnam' is another that will always grow straight up.
So how do the Vietnam and walichii respond to trimming?
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