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re: Eusteralis stellata



I have been growing Es for a couple of months and would agree that it is
easy.  Your comment about being stressed has me curious.  What were the
symptoms?  Did it change color, wilt, or what?  I ask because recall reading
that Es is a good indicator plant - will show deficiencies sooner rather
than later.  As I am resolved to use test kits less frequently this plant
and how it responds to nutrients could be helpful.

Also, I am curious about what nutrients and lighting cause different
coloring in the plant.  The posted pic appears to be a relatively green
plant consistent with photo in Baensch Vol. 2, pg. 21.  In Aquarium Plants
by Tepoot the photo is of a "bronze-coppery" plant.  And then Amano Bk. 3,
pg. 233 is yellow-green toward the copper coloring.  Anyone who compares my
descriptions of the colors with the photos will realize why my wife bought a
pH monitor. But I can clearly see that the Es in my tank is most certainly a
coppery color.  Small newer growth and lower parts of the plants are green /
light green.  Do these differences in color say something about differences
in growing conditions?

Finally, how do people typically prune this plant?  What kind of height can
be achieved with acceptable growth?  How tall is your tank Lazarous?  The Es
in my 75  currently functions as midground plant and at about 10" needs
pruning to be appropriate where it is placed. However, if moved, I think it
could be left to grow into a very nice background plant.

Regards,
Jay Reeves
Minneapolis - getting a taste of winter, finally.


Lazarus wrote:
"Just thought I would throw out some of my observations
on stellata, now that that I have had it for about 3
months.

First of all, it seems to be very easy to grow.  I
have not experienced any of the tips dying, with
subsequent new shoots as others report being typical.
 On the other hand, I have cut the stem at about
halfway, and then gotten new stems shooting out of the
stump."

When I was gone for about 2.5 weeks, the stellata
became a bit nutrient stressed.  I say that because it
started to turn pink.  Once I reestablished my regular
regime, it was fine.  In fact, you can see this in the
following picture.  The pink leaves towards the bottom
are the evidence of my trip, and we can see that the
normal green growth has returned.

http://awaqua.com/auction/stellata.jpg

The stems have grown to the point that they reached
the surface and began growing out of the water.  These
leaves at the surface seem to be a bit bleached (more
white and pink in them).  I am wondering if pink can
alost be caused by very intense light.  Anyone else
noticed this?

I seem to remember that this is a soft water plant.
Mine is doing just fine in moderately hard Houston
water, in case anyone is worried about that.  Cool
plant.

Arthur
http://www.awaqua.com"