My ludwigia, hygrophila, and rotala have done amazingly well with leaving
the bottom stem and re-planting the clippings. If you throw the bottom away
then you are starting from fresh with a rootless stem. By prunning, the
original plant starts to grow shoots of leaves along the lower parts of the
stem instead of strictly on the crown...thus making the plant more bushier.

or did I read you right ?

--
Dave Picklyk
www.picklyk.com/aquascape

"Dave Millman" wrote in message
...
Frank Mamone wrote:

What is the proper procedure for pruning stem plants?

Do you trim the tops, re-plant the trimmings, and remove the remaining
bottom?

In general, yes. Each plant is different, but lots of them put out roots
at nodesm and rooted clippings are a tad easier to deal with. Other plants
start to branch out when they hit the surface. For most of my plants, the
bottoms aren't worth keeping. Watch your plants and you'll figure it out.

Her are two Karen Randal articles that will help:
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a...ic/default.asp
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a...ic/default.asp