How to grow Ludwigia brevipes

Introduction

Ludwigia brevipes originates from the USA and has a long history in the aquarium hobby. It is an easy to grow stem plant and can be grown in both soft and hard water tanks. It is very similar to Ludwigia arcuata, but is larger in size with generally neater leaf arrangement. Due to its slightly larger size, it is a bit hardier than Ludwigia arcuata.

Its leaf color ranges from green to orange-red depending on the tank conditions. Its orange tones contrast well with other green and red plants. It has a slightly more moderate growth rate compared to even faster growers such as Rotala rotundifolia or Rotala macrandra. It works well in the midground and can be pruned to form quite dense bushes; it also takes overcrowding quite well, although shaded areas will be more greenish.

How to grow

Ludwigia brevipes is an easy plant to grow. However, to get denser bushes with good coloration, CO2 is necessary. In non-CO2 tanks it will grow much thinner with less branching and coloration.

Good lighting and fertilization are necessary to grow Ludwigia brevipes to good shape and color. Ludwigia brevipes will range from green when grown under low light and high nitrate levels to orange-red when grown under low nitrate and high light. In tanks with very low nitrate levels in the water column for long periods of time, its leaves can become quite red. However, plants in this form tend to be deficient and somewhat delicate and do not take well to transplanting compared to more robust plants.

Cutting off the top shoot will cause the plant to branch profusely from the lower internodes. This allows the creation of dense, colorful shrubs.

HOW TO GET IT REDDER

• Stronger light (higher PAR values)
• Stronger red/blue light spectrum
• Low nitrates causes it to become significantly redder

TRIMMING

Cut off the top of the plant a few inches below the desired final height. Side shoots will sprout from the remaining bottom portion to fill in the area. As the side shoots form, trim away the faster growing shoots that stick out above the rest. In time, you will have a nicely contoured shrub. Trimming should be sloped to the front.

This stem plant will grow sideways if there is plenty of light and empty space. Planting a little denser at first - with stems about 2.5cm apart - will encourage them to grow more vertically.

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