Amazon Swords Not Growing Well

[Chris P.]

I bought 2 Amazon Swords in January of this year. It's now the middle of March and they haven't grown much. They're maybe an inch or 2 taller. My ph is 7 and KH & GH are 70ppm (ish). I use Seachem Flourish regularly. I have also used root tabs. They get plenty of light as well. Any ideas why they won't grow?

[Cory]

How many root tabs, what size are they? Have a picture? Typically they want quite a few. What substrate as well?

 

[Brian]

While talking about swords...   Have you ever noticed if the plant is shocked or damaged a little, some tend to start to send out the stems for babies?   Kinda like some preservation thing or something?

[Jungle Fan]

@Chris P.One to two inches in the initial two months isn't bad for growth in Amazon swords. Did you trim the roots back some when you first planted them to encourage new root growth? Amazon swords are slow growers, and they sometimes go through a phase of recovery first for a few months. I have a Green Ocelot sword that initially remained almost  the same for about five months, then it started its growth spurt, and I've now had to trim it back repeatedly because it had reached the surface of the tank. I place at least two to three root tabs deep in the substrate around each of my swords to keep them happy and supplied with iron, and potassium.

[Chris P.]

Thank you. I did not trim the roots back initially. Is that something I should do now, or just stay the course?

[Jungle Fan]

I believe after two to three months it would be counterproductive now that the plants have begun establishing their root system. I would stay the course, it's just something to consider whenever you get new plants, I do the same for crypts as well.

[Streetwise]

I made the mistake of over-trimming the roots of a massive Amazon sword that I picked up from my LPS to drop in my new tubs last summer. I sliced it into clumps, but I was too aggressive.

If you are seeing growth, stay the course, as @Jungle Fan describes.

Edited March 22, 2021 by Streetwise

[Hobbit]

My sword plants didn’t grow much initially either. Now a year later they can grow a new 10-inch leaf in four days! Yours are probably focusing on root growth right now rather than leaf growth. Unless you see signs of nutrient deficiency (like brown spots on the leaves or yellowing) then I think they’re doing just fine.

[Deku-Corydoras]

2 hours ago, Jungle Fan said:

@Chris P.One to two inches in the initial two months isn't bad for growth in Amazon swords. Did you trim the roots back some when you first planted them to encourage new root growth? Amazon swords are slow growers, and they sometimes go through a phase of recovery first for a few months. I have a Green Ocelot sword that initially remained almost  the same for about five months, then it started its growth spurt, and I've now had to trim it back repeatedly because it had reached the surface of the tank. I place at least two to three root tabs deep in the substrate around each of my swords to keep them happy and supplied with iron, and potassium.

I'm glad to know this. I have a Radican Sword I bought back in February and the whole plant gradually melted, but I never tossed it because I was seeing new leaves still. It's very slowly growing new roots now. I have it carefully barricaded so the cories can't dig it up, and I think I've planted 3 root tabs around it. So I'm pleased to know it has a chance of actually recovering and not remaining its current pitiful self.

 

Meanwhile I swear my Melon Sword grows a new leaf every time I look at the tank. Swords never cease to be interesting.

[Chris P.]

Thank you to everyone. All the comments were very helpful!

[Jungle Fan]

@Streetwiseif you want to propagate swords by dividing the original plant it is better to use a sharp knife and cut them in half just once by cutting clean through the middle of the rosette leaving as many healthy leaves untouched as possible, that way the plant has a better chance to recover.

When trimming the roots I would generally go no further than trimming off a third or less, leaving the thicker portions of the roots alone. When dividing the plant in my experience it takes a good while longer to see new growth because the plant recovers very slowly but eventually it does and the plant fills in all the way around, however I have seen it take up to the better portion of a year sometimes. 

Trimming the roots at the time of planting encourages new growth, and better anchoring and plants I have treated that way generally showed better growth than others that I hadn't before I was taught to do so many years ago by a friend who still grows and propagates swords in Germany.

Edited March 22, 2021 by Jungle Fan
better wording