Separating Lobelia cardinalis

[SkarloeysMom]

Success at last!!! The Lobelia cardinalis I bought in mid March is growing well in my 5g betta tank. So I'm wondering if I can somehow separate the really big plant into several small ones and spread it around more.

I tried to separate it when I got it but was afraid I would break off something and kill the whole plant. Any recommendations on exactly how to separate a big clump of Lobelia cardinalis without killing it??

Oh and with all the extra light in the tank I'm growing some brown algae on the fake plants and decor. Does this mean there's a problem or is it just too much light? Its on 8-10 hours a day.

Tank parameters are 0 am. 0 NitrIte and 5 NitrAte
Ph is 7

[SkarloeysMom]

bump...anybody??

[smaug]

what is Lobelia cardinalis,?

[SkarloeysMom]

Cardinal plant- small form. I found a link to a picture of it here. ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

Sorry I didn't use a common name. I bought the thing and then promptly forgot what it was but some IDed it for me.

The big plant seems like just a lot of little plants that have grow together at the base. I'm just wondering if I can somehow break it apart without killing it. Any ideas?

[hpt84]

You would assume it can be separated, because people usually use this plant to cover the foreground. I never actually kept this plant, so i have no idea. The internet doesn't have a lot of info about the plant either. Sorry.

[SkarloeysMom]

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping someone would have some info since there isn't any I could find online. Bummer. Well, I guess I'll give it a go and see what happens. If I kill the plant I'm only out $5.

[smaug]

Ive never seen this one.i wish I could help ya!

[Algenco]

I have some, I've been watching this thread to find out myself

[SkarloeysMom]

OK, I guess I'm just gonna have to get a sharp knife can hack that baby up and see what happens. What do you think Algenco? Should I go for it?

I will say that when I first got the plant I tried to gentle pull some pieces away from the main bunch and didn't get any root really. I went ahead and planted those pieces in the sand and one piece got loose and is floating around on its own. I noticed that the floating piece has already grown some tiny roots! Seems like it will take forever to do it that way though.

I am really surprised that the main plant has grown so much in just the 3 weeks or so I've had it. I think I finally have enough light to support live plants in that 5g.

[Algenco]

I would have thought you could pull them apart, cutting may be the best way.
I may pull mine apart and float the pieces in my shrimp tank until it forms roots