Trimming plant problems

[yohann976]

I have hygro and it is growing fast (surprise...lol). My problem comes from trimming of this plant. After a good trimming, all of the lower leaves get holes in them, yellow, and then die. I see healthy new growth at the upper nodes just below where I trimmed.

Is that typical after trimming? I think my plants are healthy because of the constant new growth, but I just don't like the fact that, after a few days, I have so many dead leaves to clean up.

I'll do my best to answer any questions that you may have for me about water parameters and dosing.

 

[rich311k]

You could just replant the tops and throw out the bottoms. Since it is an old growth problem I think of pottasium right away.

 

[yohann976]

I was thinking potassium as well. I could perhaps up my dosing to see if I get better results after trimming. I would just replant the tops, but discus might not like it too much. lol. He might attack my hand even more. I know, it sounds weird.

 

[7Enigma]

With hygro I clip low where a new bud growth point starts. Normally I'll cut low enough that there are only a few old leaves left. Like you I hate replanting the tops because my PFS gets constantly turned over by MTS, my BN pleco, and the barbs/gourami that nips at them and chase each other around. By keeping the base (with embedded roots), but cutting very low at a new growth point I get the best of both worlds.

HTH