Ludwigia mullertii curling leaves

[Pilaarbijter]

Hello everyone,

Since I've been starting a decent iron fertilizing program for my plants, my Ludwigia mullertii is starting to get really nice red colored leaves which, of course, i a great thing to see.
However the new leaves that are growing are curling around the center vein of the leaf. Much like a clamp to visualize it.

Got any ideas what the cause of this might be?

Regards
Ruben

 

[dutchy]

So maybe the plant started to grow better. this also means it needs more CO2. Curling leaves (stunting) could be a consequence of a CO2 deficiency

You can rule out ferts if you add enough. Light didn't change either? So what's left? CO2.

 

[Pilaarbijter]

Well I've been meaning to contact you about the fertilizing.

As you know I've been working with osmosewater for about 4 weeks now.

First weeks results:
before water change: ph 7 / gh 9 / kh 6 / no3 15 / po4 2
One day after water change: ph 7 / gh 9 / kh 7 / no3 10 / po 4 1.5

Second week results:
Before water change: ph 7 / gh 9 / kh 7 / no3 15 / po4 1
One day after water change: ph 6.6 / gh 6 / kh 5 / no3 10 / po4 1

Third week results:
Before water change: ph 6.6 / gh 7 / kh 6 / no3 10 / po4 1
One day after water change: ph 6.6 / gh 5 / kh 4 / no3 5 / po4 0.6

Fourth week results:
Before water results: ph 6.6 / gh 6 / kh 6 / no3 5/ po4 0.8
One day after water change: ph 6.6 / gh 5 / kh 5 / no3 4 / po4 0.7

As you can see the Po4 and No3 has been lowering ever since I started using a mix with more osmose then tap water (started second week). According to the EI-standards I’m having a rather big No3 deficiency and a minor Po4 deficiency. I have the following solutions made: Po4: 1.24ml raises the kpo4 with 0.1 on 62l (my tank) and No3: 1.24ml raises kno3 with 2 on 62l. What would you advise in this situation?

As for the lighting, I did change one of the tl-bulbs two weeks ago due to the fact that it was over one year old and while I was at it, I also cleaned my reflectors as well.

 

[dutchy]

I'd add 50% more weekly. Maybe the sudden light increase made the plant stunt. I'd wait for now and see how it develops when the plant adapts.

 

[Pilaarbijter]

That's the thing really, I'm not adding any Kno3 or Po4. I just have this values without adding anything to the water.
Only thing I do add is this: http://www.aquariumbemesting.nl/bemesting-poeder-zelf-mengen/complete-plantenvoeding.html
I add 4ml once in two days. That's it.
Should I slowly build up the dosing of No3 and Po4 to for example 8 no3 and 1 po4 or just go for the values straight away. I am however scared that my co2 installation might not be sufficient and thus causing algae.

Another thing I would like to clarify is that only the new leaves (the more deeper red ones) are stunting. The older green colored ones are in great state with the veins beautifully showing. The ludwigia is the only one 'not behaving' as it should. The rest of the plants are doing really fine.

These are the plant i currently have:
Alternanthera cardinalis
Anubias barteri var. nana
Cabomba Aquatica
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Eleocharis parvula
Heteranthera zosterifolia
Lobelia cardinalis
Ludwigia mullertii
Saururus cernuus
Unidentified Echinodorus-species

 

[dutchy]

You can start to dose right away, no buildup is necessary. A plant will take up as much as it can dependent of the amout of light, which drives photosynthesis. If you are afraid the CO2 is insufficient, use low light, don't hold back on ferts.
Better of course is when the CO2 is sufficient at any time.

Also every plant has it's own need of CO2. So it can be that one plants curls (stunts) while the others don't. Competetion for CO2 is also a variable. We should provide an environment in which all plants can thrive. This is possible by providing enough CO2 and ferts, even for the plant with the highest demands.