Red melon sword, massive trim and limitting growth?

[fish_4_all]

I have this huge red melon sword that is going to overrun my tank in less than a month. I love the plant but it is just too big.

I have a small planter that I want to put the plant into.
The questions are:
How much can I trim it back and have it survive?
Will limiting the roots prevent the leaves from getting massive like a bonsai is limited to the span of it's roots?
Getting lots of leaves is great but my poor 10 gallon looks like a leaf factory. :?
It is also limiting the light my java ferns are getting because of shading and nowhere to move it.

 

[Jchillin]

As far as trimming, I have to trim my large amazon sword quite regularily. I trim all of the large leaves (4-5) and usually have @ 8-9 leaves left. It doesn't harm the plant at all. I don't think you can "limit" a swords roots, mine are massive.

Whether or not you can place it in a planter, I don't know.

 

[fish_4_all]

Well then someone want to trade for a petite nana. . lol

I may try it but I want it to give off runners before taking a chance of killing it.