pruning my plants....???

**squirt_12** · 11-19-2007, 11:38 PM

how exactly do i prune my plants????

i have some ludwiga and well it is all the way to the top of the water and almost coming out..

thanks.

**Algenco** · 11-20-2007, 12:00 AM

ludwigia, just cut it and plant the tops. I would cut them about 1/3 from the bottom. The base will branch out, if you keep trimming the tips it will make a nice bush.

**richberstler** · 11-20-2007, 12:07 AM

No one ever really specifically answered in my other thread... Is it OK to use metal scissoes inside a tank? or is there something else to use?

**Algenco** · 11-20-2007, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by richberstler

No one ever really specifically answered in my other thread... Is it OK to use metal scissoes inside a tank? or is there something else to use?

I see no problem, I have a small pair of stainless steel scissors that I use, I have used the Wife's scissors when she wasn't looking

**richberstler** · 11-20-2007, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by Algenco

I have used the Wife's scissors when she wasn't looking

lmao, we won't tell

**squirt_12** · 11-20-2007, 01:44 AM

ok thanks....so if there is like some roots coming out of the plants stem in places...should i cut right below that and then plant that part????

**Algenco** · 11-20-2007, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by squirt_12

ok thanks....so if there is like some roots coming out of the plants stem in places...should i cut right below that and then plant that part????

Doesn't really matter, cut fairly low so that the new shoot will have plenty of room to grow. Keep in mind that the base will fork and you will eventually need to trim those shoots, then they will fork and so on. Give some thought as to what you want the plant to look like a couple of months down the road

**squirt_12** · 11-20-2007, 02:33 AM

Originally Posted by Algenco

Doesn't really matter, cut fairly low so that the new shoot will have plenty of room to grow. Keep in mind that the base will fork and you will eventually need to trim those shoots, then they will fork and so on. Give some thought as to what you want the plant to look like a couple of months down the road

alrighty....thanks so much Algenco.

**hungryhound** · 11-20-2007, 03:55 PM

metal scissors are fine.

To add to what algenco said.

When you cut make sure that you cut right above where the leaf branches off o f the stem leaving the leaves on. If you cut higher than that the plant will above that area will die back and rot.