I took mine a good two or three months but once it reached nearer the surface the growth accelarated a lot - more light obviously. It also turned a nice red hue - a sign of good lighting and micronutrient levels.
wow ur tanks look well nice, i have planted a few in mine and they are growing up but not fanning out why is this i really want them to spread. And where did you get that thin root wood( i think) it looks really good!
I know with some plants, the more you trim them, the bushier they get. They start growing out more instead of up. but I have no idea what plants that works on.
The wood came with the tank, and the guy I bought it off of, got it at a petstore. He paid a pretty penny for them, but totally worth it in my books.