View Full Version : The little root baskets
Winnie
04-28-2003, 2:06 PM
Can I leave those little plastic baskets around the roots when I put a plant in or do I have to remove it? It seems to me to "contain" it well and I figure the roots will expand outward, but hey, I'm new to plants.
odessa
04-28-2003, 2:27 PM
I would remove the rock wool from the basket, as it can cause algae problems and leach some stuff into the water column. then if you wanted keep your plants potted use flourite ect. as substrate for the pots.
That rock wool shouldn't be left in the tank long term. The basket will also restrict the growth and developement of the roots, IMO.
Len
Mantis_22
04-28-2003, 7:38 PM
its mainly used for transport so the roots donot become damaged or severed
Starry
04-28-2003, 8:44 PM
IMO they're used so they can sell the plants for 5 times more because they're "potted." Cut it away from the roots and chuck it.
nvision
04-29-2003, 1:15 AM
i agree with starry. i've seen the same stem plants sold as bunches one week, then in pots the next. same'o plants. the shops play the game well, because you'd never see them being sold at the same time to elicit discrepancy.
The pots are for the convenience and utility of the growers. Most aquatic plants are grown emerse in trays of water + nutrients in high humidity and strong light. With emerse growth there is no algae issue, the water can be nurient-loaded with no downside. The rockwool is a decent rooting medium and the pot make it easier to handly and ship.
But the rockwool can retain minerals and leech these into your tank, and the pot is un-needed and potentially restricting. Get rid of it and the rockwool. When you buy plants for your outdoor garden, do you leave those in the plastic pots? Nope.