Propagating Rotala sp. 'Burma'

How to propagate Rotala sp. 'Burma' by cuttings and topping to grow a dense, colourful midground bush in a high-tech tank with strong light and CO2.

Overview

Rotala sp. 'Burma' is a cultivar of the genus Rotala, which belongs to the loosestrife family (Lythraceae). The genus contains around 46 species, several of which are used as aquarium plants. 'Burma' is grown as a stem plant that forms a bushy stand and intensifies in colour under strong light, propagated the same way as its relatives in the genus.

Propagation Method

Propagation is vegetative, by cuttings and topping. Cut the top of a healthy stem, replant it, and let the remaining base branch into new side shoots. Repeating this over several rounds quickly converts a few stems into a full bush, which is the standard approach for Rotala cultivars.

Step-by-Step

Pick the strongest, most colourful stems and cut the top 5 to 10 cm with clean scissors.
Strip the leaves from the lowest 2 to 3 cm of each cutting.
Plant the cuttings into nutrient-rich substrate, leaving room between stems for light penetration.
Keep the trimmed bases so they branch and bush out.
Maintain strong light and CO2 to push compact, deeply coloured regrowth.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

This is a demanding stem that needs high light, CO2 injection and a nutrient-rich substrate to thrive and colour up. Soft, slightly acidic water around pH 5.5 to 7 and a temperature of 22 to 28 C suit it. An emersed form differs from the submersed form, so expect leaf shape to shift if it grows above the waterline.

Trimming & Maintenance

Trim roughly every 10 days to keep the bush dense and to encourage branching. Each trim provides cuttings, so maintenance and propagation happen together; replant the best tops and discard weak material.

Common Challenges

Weak colour and stretched growth when light or CO2 is insufficient.
Thin, sparse stands if topping is delayed and branching is not encouraged.
Nutrient deficiency in a poor substrate, since this is a high-demand stem.
Bare lower stems shading themselves in an overgrown group.