Mowing the Val lawn?

[HockeyPisces14]

My Val spiralis 'Crystal' are growing like weeds! Absolutely beautiful and the fish love their jungle, but by now they are starting to take away most light from plants below, and they let my nice surface flow come to a screeching halt.

Has anybody had any experience with simply cutting/shortening the plants? I read that those leaves that are cut, probably just end up dying off. Would I need to choose thinning rather than a haircut?

[Lady Hobbs]

I do it all the time. Grab a handful of the tops and start hacking.

[HockeyPisces14]

Lol. That is great news! Thank you, Lady Hobbs!
Pruning scissors at the ready....

[WhiteDevil]

Yup, pretty much like pruning any plant, grab em where you want em and cut em off, I dont know if it matters but I always cut mine at an angle and the ends didnt discolor at all and threw out new growth within hours.

I had a problem of them running across the 6' tank and growing on the opposite side I planted them on.

also some cover isnt a bad thing, most fish like it and they will start to congregate under the canopy.

[HockeyPisces14]

Thanks, WhiteDevil! Yes, it sure is a beautiful place for fish.
Cutting leaves at an angle is a great idea. I do the same with some orchid leaves.