Aponegeton roots almost nonexistent

[wendamus]

Hi folks,

In cleaning my tank, I accidentally knocked my aponegeton loose, and it's floating in my tank now. It is leafy and green and looks good, but there are almost no roots. I tried re-planting it, but with no roots to hold it in place, it just gets knocked loose again by the pleco or maybe even the current.

Even floating, it still seems to be happy.

What can I do to stimulate the root growth without hurting my fish, and what can I do to protect the plant while it's floating?

Thanks!

 

[Mgamer20o0]

nothing much other then just let it float. another idea is to get a tetra cotta pot cut the bottom out.... plant it then put the tetra cotta pot over it that wa it protects it.

 

[Bk718]

place a piece of stone by it to hold it down or get a plant weight.

 

[wendamus]

Thanks for the answers! Is this root problem normal for aponegetons, or is it an indication of some sort of imbalance? I've had the aponegeton in the tank for ~3-4 months. I fertilize with Seachem Flourish Excel, but I just recently started. I haven't done the estimative index because it seems intimidating. I have 6 planted aquariums, all low light, plants such as anacharis, java moss, watersprite, najas and hornwort all growing well and looking good. Is there anything in particular that will stimulate root growth?

Thanks!

 

[Bk718]

root tab few inches away from the plant can help. I remember my mature aponogeton had some serious roots, stretched from one side of the tank to the other.

 

[crimsonmoon]

mine was like that while it was young, so i just let it free float, and eventually it got a bunch of roots going and then i planted it

 

[wendamus]

Thanks everyone! I'll let it free float for a while and hope it recovers, it's probably getting more light up here at the surface anyway. It was in an awesome spot, I dunno why the roots were having so much trouble. It got all the mulm that managed to escape the filter, I must have been too rough with my vacuuming and broken roots off or something. I'll be extra special gentle from now on.