how long should java be tied down?

[kyle3]

I know this question is probably beneath you but it's my first time with a plant that doesn't belong in the substrate.

I've got a java fern i just tied onto a piece of drift wood with string

the string is ugly tho so i wondered how long it would take for it to hang on for itself.

thanks-K

 

[Roan Art]

This question isn't beneath anyone in here

About a week or two. Every time you do a waterchange, give it a little tug and see if it's rooted or not. If it has you can cut the string.

I use dark colored elastics instead of string. Not as noticable

Roan

 

[TetraFreak]

Some folks use fishing line as well...more invisible that way!

 

[nursie]

I staple mine on. I use one of those little mini ones.
Good question...I starten mine in April, and am still waiting for it to attach..

 

[only6foot6]

I used dark thread when attaching mine. I never cut it off. It just kind of disintegrated. The trick is to use a color that will not stand out.

If the color really bothers you, cut it off & try again.

I starten mine in April, and am still waiting for it to attach..

Nursie - I can't believe your Java Fern has not attached yet!!! Good thing for staples.

 

[blue demasoni]

They make a fishing line called vanish. It's greenish in color out of the water but in it it's as close to invisible as possible. You can get a small roll(75yrds.) for a few bucks. Just make sure after it's attatched you remove the line or it could cut the plant.

 

[Roan Art]

I staple mine on. I use one of those little mini ones.
Good question...I starten mine in April, and am still waiting for it to attach..

Heh, I stapled my java moss Gonna staple my pelia next. That stuff is NOT supposed to float!

Roan

 

[jazzbass]

Uh... purple string?

But seriously... I used dark brown (cotton) sewing thread, looped around the whole thing several times, and by the time the plant was rooted, the string had rotted enough to pull out. In one of my tanks, I used a rubber band and just cut the band after the plant had rooted. And on one other, I used jute (it was all I could find at the time)

 

[Hannys_Papa]

Heh, I stapled my java moss ...

When you say stapled - do you mean with metal staples ?

 

[NotGumbel]

What about attaching to artificial (resin) driftwood? Do the plants require an actual porous wood surface to which they attach?