Scarlet Temple

[PattysAquatics]

I have a Scarlet Temple I purchased from the CoOp some months ago and has taken off . It’s almost to the top of the water line and want to trim it and replant the trimming. My question is will the original plant continue to grow where I trimmed it? And is there a better spot to trim it? 

[Wes L.]

Trimming is a good idea with these plants. It'll prompt the plant to grow more leaves below where you trimmed, so the plant fills out as opposed to looking lanky and scraggly. I've always trimmed mine once they hit the top of the water, and usually will clip several inches down so the plant stays bushy. The first leaf node below where you've trimmed will start to sprout new leaves (as well as many leaf nodes below that), so instead of having one single stock, it will start to grow in two, and yes, you'll have to trim that again some day. However, what you cut off you can replant in the substrate and that will grow well.