How do I get more leaves?

[jratuszn]

I've been trying to grow a small Amazon sword in my 70g. It's only lighted on 1 side, 18W in about a 1' circle over the plant. (I know it's low light, but there is alot of light in the room so I thought I'd give it a shot)
The sword grows fine, now that I'm using a substrate fertilizer tab, but it will not grow additional leaves. Whenever I prune 1 leave off, another will grow as a replacement, but additional leaves will not grow on their own, so I always end up with the same total mnumber of leaves. Any suggestions?

-J

 

[jubei]

that's ez more direct light, if this plant is getting the bulk of its light from one 18w bulb I surprised it even grows new leave when you cut off old one's.

Ya, more light all around just get a cheap hood with 40 - 80w (E-bay)

good luck

 

[malkore]

the ambient room light is useless and can't be counted. Unless it sits in front of a south facing window with the curtains wide open, you can't even count sunlight.

so jubei's right...you need more light. 18watts isn't penetrating deep enough, and i know they do not make any 12" diameter fluorescents that are a good plant spectrum.
I'd say you're really lucky it's even survived.