Propagating Rotala sp. 'Fujian'

How to propagate Rotala sp. 'Fujian', a rotundifolia-group cultivar, by cuttings and topping for a colourful, well-behaved midground stem under high light.

Overview

Rotala sp. 'Fujian' is a locality cultivar belonging to the Rotala rotundifolia group, and it propagates like its parent. Rotala rotundifolia is a stem plant whose emersed form has rounded leaves while submerged leaves are narrow and lanceolate. Under strong light its leaves can take on a coppery to almost wine-red flush, which is why 'Fujian' is prized for colour.

Propagation Method

Like the parent species, it is propagated by cuttings. The standard aquascaping technique is topping: cut the healthy top portion of a stem and replant it, while the trimmed base sends out side shoots that thicken the stand. This turns one stem into many over successive trims.

Step-by-Step

Select vigorous, well-coloured 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.
Replant the cuttings into nutrient-rich substrate, spacing them so light reaches each stem.
Leave the trimmed bases in place so they branch and produce new side shoots.
Keep light and CO2 strong so the new growth colours up and stays compact.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

Give it high light to draw out the coppery-orange colour, plus CO2 injection and a nutrient-rich substrate. Soft, slightly acidic water around pH 5.5 to 7 and 22 to 28 C suits it. The submerged form keeps its fine lanceolate leaves; an emersed form with rounder leaves develops if the plant grows above the waterline.

Trimming & Maintenance

As a fast midground stem, expect to trim roughly every 10 days to keep it dense. Each trim yields fresh cuttings for replanting, so regular topping and replanting both maintains and multiplies the group.

Common Challenges

Losing lower leaves, which usually means the plant is not receiving enough light.
Dull green instead of coppery colour when light is too weak.
Leggy, stretched growth under low CO2 or nutrients.
Bare lower stems if trimming is neglected.