Who Gives A Fish Forums

I picked up a couple of new plants from PetSmart - a Narrow Leaf Java Fern and an Anubis Congensis - they came in those "pest free" containers, which seem to be the cleanest option around here.

I'm currently reading up on them and it appears both need to be attached to rocks or wood. I knew this was the case for regular Anubis, but I wasn't sure if it applied to all varieties - the package for the Congensis said "small", but now I'm not so sure.

I had no idea Java Ferns needed to be planted this way too. Can anyone tell me if it's okay to leave them in the substrate or will I need to tie them to something? They're currently just pushed in.

You can definitely plant them in the substrate as long as the rhizome is above. I personally prefer to tie them to something for better stability, though.

I concur with the advice to attach your plants to wood or rock. The rhizome, being the thick stem from which the leaves emerge and the true roots originate, is a crucial part of the plant. If it becomes buried, it's likely to rot, ultimately killing the plant.

While it's perfectly fine for the true roots to grow into the substrate, I'd recommend allowing them to do so naturally, rather than attempting to bury them. You can secure the rhizome by lodging it into a crevice in the wood or rock, or by using a suitable material like black cotton thread or fishing line. Over time, the roots will anchor the rhizome, although this process can take several weeks or even months.

I'm really relieved to hear that I made the right call by pulling them out and tying them to some wood. I got a bit anxious and decided to take action before getting any responses, I just couldn't shake the feeling that I'd end up killing my new plants if I left them as they were.

I've managed to twist the wood into the bigger pieces in the tank, so fingers crossed everything will work out. Thanks a ton for the helpful advice, it's much appreciated!

I found a nifty trick for securing Anubias - black zip ties work a treat, much easier than fiddling with fishing line.

You can secure the rhizome in a crevice of a rock or wood piece, or opt for black cotton thread or fishing line. The roots will take hold of the rhizome over time, though this process can be quite lengthy - we're talking weeks or even months.

I've found that applying a tiny amount of super glue, specifically the gel type, does the trick. Alternatively, you could use a hot melt glue gun for the task.

I've also had success with superglue, specifically the cyanoacrylate type, it's been a reliable option for me.

challenger wrote: ↑Thu May 23, 2024 10:02 am You can definitely plant them in the substrate as long as the rhizome is above. I personally prefer to tie them to something for better stability, though.

I can see the thread, not ideal but I'll live with it.

boomer said: "You can sometimes lodge the rhizome into a crevice in wood or rock" - that's exactly what I did with my old Anubias, it was getting too big for the tank so I experimented with cutting and reattaching it (check out the two leaves sticking out of the spider wood on the left).

marston said: "I discovered that black zip ties work pretty well!" - haha, nice find!

goldminer said: "use a small drop of super glue (Crazy glue) use the gel type" - I've heard of people using this method, interesting.

Echoflux said: "as long as it is the cyanoacrylate type" - and I just saw that Seachem has a plant glue now, who knew?!

I'm having a tough time keeping small carpeting plants alive for the front of the tank, any suggestions? I've tried dwarf hair grass but it just thinned out and disappeared. I also had some cardinal plant that did well for a year then died off, still got a few pieces lingering.

I've had some plants just kinda attach themselves to wood on their own, like a Java Fern I planted ages ago - it just kinda rooted itself onto the wood nearby.

Yeah, some plants just attach way faster than others.