Goldy Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 What does everybody do with there Vals that have gotten out of hand & are starting to take over the rest of the tank. I have a planted 38 gal & they have spread like crazy, sending out tons of runners as well as super long, some are getting to be 2 feet higher then the tank when I hold them straight up, so not all of the light are reaching the bottom plants. Question is how do you thin them out & make shorter. Do I just cut off the runners & trim the existing plants or cut them off at the base & let them grow again? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 You can chop off the top near the water level- give it a little point to look less "hacked". Also, uproot any new runners and replant (or sell, give away, etc.) Do it as often as necessary- the timing will vary from tank to tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaFishMommy Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Goldie, if you are planning on giving away or selling your trimmings instead of garbaging them, i'll take them off your hands. i need more tall plants for my tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Master of Puppets Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 I'd take some too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewels Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 I do the opposite. Treat the like stem plants. Pull the old growth. The new growth is going to be algea free robust not blocking light from other growth besides we all like sumpting new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 I cut my long leaves at an angle like werner said to prevent it looking like a hack job. With any new plants and runners I trim them and either give them away or toss them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byte Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 You can gently pull the new growth and get many plants all hooked together, then cut the runner. Plant the extra along the back glass to make a background all the way across. Are you using giant val? I found the shorter varieties work better in smaller tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaFishMommy Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 just wanted to say thanks so much for the vals Goldy! got them all planted and i did some trimming up to make them not so long and floaty in the tank. looks great! hope the snails are doing well. let me know if you are having any issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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