Aponogenton Crispus Question

[Rewcolee1]

As this plant seemingly continues to grow, will the “old” leaves eventually die off at some point OR will they keep growing as new ones have shot up. Additionally, I now have 3 runners with flowers coming out of the tank. Pretty cool!

This is a 75g tank for reference.

[Odd Duck]

The old leaves will eventually start to deteriorate - they usually start to get ragged along the margins and tips.  It’s not worth keeping those leaves when they reach that point.  I reach down to the base of the deteriorating leaf and either gently tug it off while holding the base of the plant or I crush the base of the bad leaf until I can pull it off without disturbing the plant.  I try to get as much of the stem as possible of the leaf I’m removing.  You could also use scissors to carefully cut it as low as possible but mine is behind a wood piece and I can’t see the base of the plant well enough to use scissors without risking cutting off leaves I don’t want to trim.

[Rewcolee1]

On 5/4/2023 at 5:05 PM, Odd Duck said:

The old leaves will eventually start to deteriorate - they usually start to get ragged along the margins and tips.  It’s not worth keeping those leaves when they reach that point.  I reach down to the base of the deteriorating leaf and either gently tug it off while holding the base of the plant or I crush the base of the bad leaf until I can pull it off without disturbing the plant.  I try to get as much of the stem as possible of the leaf I’m removing.  You could also use scissors to carefully cut it as low as possible but mine is behind a wood piece and I can’t see the base of the plant well enough to use scissors without risking cutting off leaves I don’t want to trim.

Thank you for the input. I’ve pulled a few leaves off, but wasn’t sure what to expect moving forward. The plant was never really in poor health, but all of a sudden it has taken off like a rocket.

[Odd Duck]

On 5/4/2023 at 4:46 PM, Rewcolee1 said:

Thank you for the input. I’ve pulled a few leaves off, but wasn’t sure what to expect moving forward. The plant was never really in poor health, but all of a sudden it has taken off like a rocket.

They’re kind of notorious for putting on spurts, then “sleeping” for a bit.  They will even die way back sometimes but don’t give up on them as they can come back months later.

[Patrick_G]

My experience is pretty much exactly the same as @Odd Duck.  Those long leaves get a bit ragged and I’ll reach down and pinch then off. My current plant is in a somewhat dormant period and staying small. It still looks nice and it’s less maintenance. I would be nice if it just stayed this way. 🙂