New Ludwigia Stems dissapearing from bottom up

[rachaeljuno]

I just got some ludwigia (pretty sure its repens) and 2 stems are already melting from the bottom up very quickly. What's the best way to fix this? I've heard I need a liquid fertilizer, which one should I choose? Here's pictures:

[Duke Silver]

usually when you get stem plants they are clippings so you need to get them to grow roots before planting them or you can get melting like this at the bottom. I like to just let my lead bunches of stems float on the substrate in my tank for a couple days till I see roots start and some new growth on top then ill plant them. I would take the ones that are melting and cut them above where the melting is happening to give the plant a fresh section and then just let it float above your substrate till you see some roots sprouting and try to plant again. 

[Isaac M]

@rachaeljuno I agree with the method @Duke Silver explained. As for the liquid fertilizer, Easy Green is the one I would recommend due to how convenient and cost effective it is. One pump per 10 gallons and it is an all-in-one fertilizer. 

[rachaeljuno]

4 hours ago, Duke Silver said:

usually when you get stem plants they are clippings so you need to get them to grow roots before planting them or you can get melting like this at the bottom. I like to just let my lead bunches of stems float on the substrate in my tank for a couple days till I see roots start and some new growth on top then ill plant them. I would take the ones that are melting and cut them above where the melting is happening to give the plant a fresh section and then just let it float above your substrate till you see some roots sprouting and try to plant again. 

I did cut the parts off that were in the weight that they come in (I got them at a LFS) and then planted them. But should I cut off like right under the first node I can see?

[Patrick_G]

Yes, just cut them to the first node or higher up if you like. You can also add some root tabs. 

[Mmiller2001]

Could be the substrate. Is that rock? And if it is gravel, what size is it?