[turtle]

Can you trim the tops off Vallisneria Spiralis so it dose not lie on the water surface cutting out the light? Or will this cause die back in the plants?
Thanks

 

[little worm on a big hook]

hi turtle,
trim away, it will not harm plants, just use a sharp scissors.

 

[mr greenjeans]

also remember to trim at an angle, it will look more natural.

 

[Error]

You can do that, but it's not a very nice thing to do to Val. The cut leaves will eventually turn brown and die, leaving you back in the same predicament: an ugly plant.

Most val is hard to manage. Some of the smaller varieties and species can work well, but they are harder to come by.

 

[kingkano]

Instead of spiralis, try to find some vallisneria torta. Its similar, but a tighter spiral and grows alot smaller, no need to trim. Seems easy enough to grow and care for.

 

[Error]

Only three (four) valid species of Val are really in culture. V. americana, V. spiralis (which is not always spiral), V. nana (V. gracilis) and rarely V. caulescens.

The "Torta" stuff I think is V. americana var. biwaensis.

Really, to be sure (if you want to ID it), get it to flower. A good guide for differentation is on page 436 in Kasselmann.

 

[little worm on a big hook]

i dont know about the leaves turning brown if they are cut because this hasnt been my experience. The cut leaves continue to grow and must be cut again and again. i have been cutting them since ive gotten them about 7 months ago and have not had any problems so far. this seems to be common practice among other aquarists also, and would not be endorsed by so many if it caused the plants death.

 

[kingkano]

Only three (four) valid species of Val are really in culture. V. americana, V. spiralis (which is not always spiral), V. nana (V. gracilis) and rarely V. caulescens.

The "Torta" stuff I think is V. americana var. biwaensis.

Really, to be sure (if you want to ID it), get it to flower. A good guide for differentation is on page 436 in Kasselmann.

thats quite interesting. I dont really know for sure, but the stuff I have is very tight spirals, only grows to about 15cm max. Was doing well in my 35g with hagen yeast and 2wpg.... lots of runners, and never needed trimming of course coz its so small. Was sold to me as twisted vallis, but since saw it on the web identified as vallis. torta.

 

[Error]

Torta and Tortissima seem to be trade names.

Most of the spiral Val for sale is Val. americana var. biwaensis. I have however seen V. spiralis that is twisted, I think they call it contortionist Val.

 

[Error]

i dont know about the leaves turning brown if they are cut because this hasnt been my experience. The cut leaves continue to grow and must be cut again and again. i have been cutting them since ive gotten them about 7 months ago and have not had any problems so far. this seems to be common practice among other aquarists also, and would not be endorsed by so many if it caused the plants death.

I speak only from my experiences with the Val I have kept. Every time I gave one a "hair cut", the leaves grew for a few more days, possibly a week or more, but eventually browned and died. The untrimmed leaves, however, last for months.