The Eleocharis Belem Dilemma

[Matt F.]

My eleocharis belem has been growing in several of my tanks for months now. It looked "normal" and thick for a long time, but it has just recently started to get longer.

Shall I cut or let it grow to see what happens? SO far, there doesn't seem to be any rot like you would see in HC and other foreground plants...
As you can see in the pics, I cut out a 20"x2" portion in the center of the tank 2 weeks ago and it has already grown back. This stuff is crazy!

 

[Matt F.]

This is how half of the 20" portion looked when I pulled it out a couple weeks ago.
http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/8534-FS-Eleocharis-Belem

 

[Matt F.]

here is how teh tank looked after I cut that portion out:

 

[doubleott05]

can trim it with scissors

 

[fjf888]

I think you should sell some more.

Could it be growing taller in response to the growth of the stem plants? The stems on the left have grown exponentially, and the grass probably has more competition of CO2 now that the stems are much bigger. May be trying to get taller to break the surface? Just a theory, fwiw.

 

[ShadowMac]

I agree you should sell some more, I'd buy a patch!

I wouldn't worry too much about rot, I think that comes mainly from plants like HC growing on top of itself and smothering lower parts that die. I wish I could get my E. parvula to grow in that thick that quickly.

Maybe cutting it down like a lawn with scissors on occasion would help with flow issues that may build in the lower portions of the plant as it thickens.

By the looks of things, you are doing everything right. Very nice healthy looking growth.

 

[nipat]

Very thick carpet, I'm envious.

Anyway, this is what I always wonder, what will happen if a rosette (non-stem) plant
propagates until it covers all the limited substrate surface. It's horizontal problem
not vertical that you can just trim it.

If it was stem plant it would just rot and send upper parts away.

 

[Tom Barr]

I'd just cut the rug sod pieces and start from the front and allow the rear 1/2 to stay.

Sell off the weed.

If you do not like the replanted look, and want a nice shorter rug, simply mow the lawn carefully.
You can mow it way down also, 1/2" tall etc without issue.

 

[Tom Barr]

Also, with most foreground plants, having them press up against the front is not a nice aesthetics, many Dutch scapers regarded this as poor taste.

Thus they pulled back any plants that pressed too far forward, and left a nice 2-3" open space band in the front.

Ever so often, maybe once every 1-2 months, they'd cut some sod from the front edge.

 

[doubleott05]

yes you need to sell some and i need some.

 

[ShadowMac]

I have dibs! haha

seriously though....dibs

 

[Matt F.]

okay, people. I'm selling the e. belem in the mart section.
http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/8534-FS-Eleocharis-Belem

I'm shipping Monday (no exceptions). The payment cut off is Sunday at noon (california time).

Not sure when the next time will be, so now's the time (unless you have another source).