Red Tiger Lotus

[Vizerdrix]

I have a RTL in my 65g, it has several leaves at the base, but has only been sending up "lilypad" leaves now for the past little while. 

How do I get it to make more basal leaves?  Will I have to cut the lilypads?  I really like them, they make for an interesting feature in the tank.

It's in my 65g, which has poor lighting I must admit, but gets sunlight/daylight from the patio door next to it all day.

[bergenm]

I look like you have to "train" the plant to lie below the surface...

http://www.myfishtank.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/31/sort/7/cat/21/page/4

If you don't mind me asking, where did you buy this plant from? I have one very large Empress Lotus in the garden but I would love a smaller one for inside the house.

[Vizerdrix]

Thanks Michael, I'll check out that link shortly.

I was actually given the bulb when a friend was dismantling her 90g.  It was a very small bulb, with only one stunted leaf, and I couldn't get it to do anything until I buried it deeper than I thought it should be (in an effort to keep the fishes from digging it up!).

If it every produces offshoots, I would be more than happy to share with you!

[petfisheric]

There's some at La Niche right now.

[bettaman]

red tiger lotus requires high light and good nutrients.
sounds like u need to put more lighting and insert root fertilizer near its root... it will stop sending leaves to the surface and carpet out nicely.

[fischkopp]

If it once send out one leave to the surface (which can happen even in a highlight tank when it gets to tight) the all following leaves will be send to the surface too. The only way to stop this is cutting ALL leaves at once. The new onces will stay small, until this one day when ... good luck!

[dan2x38]

Will always send leaves to the surface just got ta prune im' before they get there.

[Vizerdrix]

Hmmmm, lots of options...  I really do like the surface leaves though.

I guess I'll try pruning them back for now, in the hopes of fuller bottom growth, and then I can let it have some surface leaves (and with any luck, one of those magnificent flowers!).

Thanks guys!