help with cyptocoryne balansae

[irene]

I got a few plants from toss a while back and when I planted them, a lot of the older leaves melted off but eventually I started to see some new growth.

I moved them again yesterday (yes, I know they don't like that, I'll stop now. ) and I was wodering if I should just trim off all the older leaves and let them grow new?  That would require uprooting them yet again and they would have few, if any leaves left.  Would they grow back from just the stem/roots?  I can see this morning that some of the leaves are melting off.  They are melting not from the base but from about halfway up the leaf.  Part of the leaf breaks off and then the leaf slowly melts towards the base.

Suggestions would be great! 

BTW- they are in eco-complete substrate, with pressurized CO2 and I stuck a few seachem root tabs in yesteday too.

Irene

[fischkopp]

Its very common that crypt leaves are melting when their environmental conditions change. They really need stable condition, any fluctuation of water parameters (like drop in pH) may cause the plant throw up their leaves. This is what happens when you move a crypt from one tank to another. But this is no reason to worry, just normal behavior to adjust to the new condition. As long as the roots are ok (and they will not melt) the plant will thrive out again - well until your tank water has a drastic change

So, the best is to leave the plant alone and give it some time. It can take a couple of weeks/months for a crypt to establish in a new tank. But they dont like to be moved around much.

[irene]

So the leaves that are starting to melt, should I try to cut those off at the base without disturbing the roots?  Or just rim the mushy part off so it doesn't pollute my tank?

Irene

[fischkopp]

So the leaves that are starting to melt, should I try to cut those off at the base without disturbing the roots?  Or just rim the mushy part off so it doesn't pollute my tank?

Irene

I wouldnt cut them off, a little organic matter from a few leaves shouldnt impact the water, might be actually good in a planted tank as them duff/debris is part of the biological filtration inside your tank and will return nutrients back into the water column. If you dont like the look or if it is way to much you can just suck it up with the gravel vac.

[Toss]

fischkopp is 100% correct It will survive if you leave them alone for a while. You may move them later when they at least have a couple of fresh new leaves.

[irene]

More leaves are melting this morning, you guys are sure I shouldn't go in and start hacking them off?    Ok, removing scissors from hand now.. must   leave   them   alone....

Irene

[babblefish1960]

One of the more difficult things to grasp as an idea, and cling to as an act of compassion and understanding, is simply waiting, patience, and the final approach, "hands off, it's not dead yet Jim", manner of living things with attitude.    Put the scissors down, walk away from the tank and go do something other than obsess about the task, youir plant will love you for it.