Pruning problems

[genitor]

I've noticed recently that when i prune my ludwigia repens that the leaves that remain get dark blotches on them. Has anyone else had this problem or know why it happens?

[Chrona]

Are you pruning the tops off only? How much of the original plant do you leave behind? Every once in a while you should be pruning off the top 4-5 inches and replanting the top, as the leaves on the bottom do get old and start to decay. Or it may be a nutrient deficiency.

[genitor]

I do exactly that prune off the top 4 inches and replant. About 5 inches or more of the original plant is left behind. I was thinking nutrient deficiency also but then it only occurs after pruning if it was deficiency I'm thinking that the leaves would be blotched whether i prune or not.

[Chrona]

I do exactly that prune off the top 4 inches and replant. About 5 inches or more of the original plant is left behind. I was thinking nutrient deficiency also but then it only occurs after pruning if it was deficiency I'm thinking that the leaves would be blotched whether i prune or not.

What I meant is every once in a while you should be replanting the tops at the original location and chucking the old stems out. Normal pruning is just clipping the top and throwing those clippings out. Stem plants don't usually have hardy leaves like anubias that can last months or even years.