Tell me how to divide crypt plants...

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chirp

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Mar 6, 2008
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Repopulating an old tank...have a beautiful large crypt which i want to divide.

Anyone?
 

irishspy

There is a stargate in my aquarium.
Crypts are rooted plants:I didn't think they had rhizomes. :confused: The crypts that come from the store potted and witht he roots wrapped in some sort of cottony material can be divided, so I imagine those pulled from the substrate can, too. You make experience a "melt" in reaction, however, but the leaves should come back if the roots are healthy.
 

chirp

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Mar 6, 2008
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well...i took a closer look and i'm not really sure i see a rhizome. i have a naturally planted tank...so the crypt is rooted into gravel over soil. If there is a rhizome it is in the gravel...i was wondering if i could do this without uprooting the entire plant.
 

chirp

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Mar 6, 2008
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okay so yeah...there is no rhizome...

do i have to pull this thing up...i feel like the roots are probably VERY healthy...but I don't want to disturb them.

i was thinking i could take a razor or other blade and separate the plant carefully and remove only part of the root system.

would that fly?
 

srikamaraja

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Nov 30, 2006
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I've torn the root system apart with two bare hands and ended up with multiple living plants. Crypts are badasses.
 

pinkertd

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May 29, 2007
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I think if you do it while it's still planted and slice with a razor, you're going to damage a lot more leaves than if you lifted it out. Once lifted, rinse the roots so you can see where you want to divide it better. There's probably a zillion little crytps that make up that big clump. Divide just a little or divide a lot, your choice.
 
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