Tying down java fern

[reiverix]

Sometimes I find that tying down a java fern can be really tedious especially if you have an odd shaped rock or wood that can't be moved. What I do is take a new adventitious root and plant it in the substrate (roots only) and leave it for a week.

http://www.truescotland.com/javas.jpg

I pick it out and it's attached a nice bunch of substrate to its roots. Then I place it wherever it needs to go.

http://www.truescotland.com/javaw.jpg

It works well with eco but I suppose any porous gravel is fine. My whole driftwood was covered this way. Just thought I'd share.

[daveedka]

I've done the same thing, but as a rule, I use the stapler on driftwood. works like a charm.
Dave

[reiverix]

I got in some bolbitis today from aquariumplants.com so I used a staple gun on them. Worked like a charm

[fishpoor]

You staple the roots to the driftwood? Can I do this with anubias?

[pl*co]

Try wrapping a piece of black thread around the driftwood and the plant roots. It's not so hard on the roots and looks better than a rubberband (if the piece you're attaching to isn't huge and you can get around it).

[johnnyxxl]

I let it attach it self by letting it pick up a few of the stones in the substrate I am using then sitting on the rock or such I wish for it to attach to its been working perfect with all my plantlets

[daveedka]

I did staple some annubias, and they didn't grow, but then I haven't figured out how to get them to grow well in a full year and none of the ones I've stapled have died completely. I suspect my annubia problem has little to do with the staples.
I would say there wshouldn't be problem with using staples with annubias. I use them on J fern, j- moss, and bolbitus without any trouble at all. The staples are usually hidden within a week and by then the roots are attached quite well.
Dave

[Max]

I wonder if super glue would work. I use it all the time in my s.w. tanks on all sorts of stuff algae included. Just curious I'm setting up a 20 gal planted ," sort of it's in cycle right now." I was going to add my plants early I don't think that ammonia, nitrate , nitrite will do much to them except for maybe help them grow if I don't let things get too out of hand.
Thanks
Chris

[exterminator]

When using staples with Java Fern, is there a danger that they going to rust and contaminate water?

[reiverix]

Using staples in now my fave method. I just used them on java fern, anubias and bolbitus. It was simple and quick. Plus some free iron for the plants.