Tentacle Monster Plant

[Temeraire]

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/281/plant013.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5661/plant006.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1876/plant004.jpg

So has anyone seen a plant grow aerial roots to this extent? I killed off the very short ones that were on it when I bought it when it was dipped in a bleach solution, and these ones started growing. In about 8 or 9 days this is what the plant looks like. And yes, the roots do move around in the current, and they look like they belong to some tentacle creature.

It is a Scarlet Hygro, I believe. Non aquatic, but I didn't know that when I bought it. Should I remove the plant or just try to cut off the roots? I can't cut off the bottoms because then the top of the plant won't be above water. If I cut off the roots I'd have to do it every other day at the rate this thing grows them.

My fish seem to like wedging themselves between the plants and the glass and I'm almost afraid they're going to get caught because of how thick the roots are.

I'm mostly posting the images to share, and see what people think of what my plant has going on. So, tell me what you think. :dive2:

[FastFly67]

iirc, plants like that grow extra roots because they aren't getting enough nutrients so it sends them out looking for more

[Temeraire]

I've read they're on angle they use the roots for support... You could be right though, my tank seems to contain very few nitrates.

[maverickbr77]

I had some sunset hygro that did the same thing when i first got it but it has settled down now and no longer throws out the side roots like that. Don't know why it started or stopped it just did

[bluekrissyspike]

maybe if you give it a root tab it will stop? looks kinda neat

[Madding]

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I think those roots look awesome!

[VivaLaVics]

Those do look awesome. lol. My ludwig did that at first then settled down. I just cut up the plant to make more plants! :)

[Kashta]

I don't think I'd use root tabs for stem plants, but you might lighty dose with liquid ferts.

[Bk828]

looks more like red temple plant.. and its very common for it to grow aerial roots

[Temeraire]

I can't be sure of what it is. The plants at the pet store I go to are classified as: Java moss, java fern, and neither of the above.

I think there are two types of this plant, an aquatic form and a bog form. The bog form can only survive partially submerged. I think that either way, if I let it grow a few inches out of the water I can keep it alive. It's possible the plant might actually be the aquatic form, but I'm just a bit too pessimistic to believe it is. I didn't get a picture but there are a lot more roots behind the plant going into the gravel.

As to fertilizing, I was thinking of potting my plants because they're held onto stuff with elastic bands which don't hold well when I have to move things. My pet store only has one kind of fert and it has trace amounts of copper, and I'm not sure how much more abuse my snail can take. I might have to order something online.

[VivaLaVics]

Go get a spool of green or brown or grey thread. You can wrap the thread around rocks or wood and a plant better than elastic bands!!! It works wonders! ;)

[Temeraire]

The added benefit of potting though is they get actual soil and they're not attached to what they're next to.

[tanker]

I am not sure what really causes this, but it happens to all stem plants once in a while---some more often then others.

When I get them I just pull the plant out, cut off as low as I can then replant the top and chuck the bottom.

[excuzzzeme]

. . . I can't be sure of what it is. The plants at the pet store I go to are classified as: Java moss, java fern, and neither of the above. . .



My lfs labels them as :"Moss", "little plants", and "Large plants".

My last conversation about the plants:
Q - "What type of moss is it?"
A - "Just regular moss"

Q - "What are those small plants?"
A - "Which ones?" (There is only 1 tank with plants in it)
Q - (pointing to them) "those and do you know if they are low light plants."
A - "Oh those, I don't know"
Q - "Do you know what the larger plants are?"
A - "No, but you can have them for $5.00 ea"

I don't buy plants from them needless to say and they are the only local ones that carry any plants at all. So I am forced to buy plants I have no idea about from people on this forum. At least I know what I'm getting from them.

Sorry for the hijack.......back on topic:

My sunset hygro does the same thing and I cut them back periodically. Trimming them doesn't seem to harm them.

[Jag1980]

With the plants that I have had that will grow aerial roots in my high light tank, I moved them to my low low do nothing tank and they will not send out aerial roots at all.