Question about Vals

Stefanie

Stefanie

AC Members
Jan 12, 2005
119
0
16
Maryland
Hi,

my vals are growing a little out of control. There is a long "root" in the gravel from which new vals grow. Is this called a runner? (Sorry, my English is not that good...)
I was wondering if it is OK to cut this "runner" in the gravel and replant the vals in different places in my tank, or if this is going to kill my vals. They keep popping up everywhere and I would like to "aquascape" this a little bit.

Thanks for your help!
 
Yes Stefanie, that would be the correct way to 'prune' Vals., and is basically the best way to control them. They have a tendency to grow everywhere, mostly where you don't want them to be.:)
Just snip the runners where they are growing toward a place you don't want them to be and pull the chain of runner plants out. Then snip each individual plant off and re-plant. Vals. are viable (self sustaining) when the little plants have a few roots on them.

Len
 
I usually let the pups get 2 or 3 inches tall before I cut the runner for transplanting. My val is currently trying to take over the whole tank so I thin the runners about once a week. Most I throw away.

Mark
 
Thank you for reassuring me. One more question, though...I think I let this go for too long out of control, and some of the runners are actually growing right into other plants, like crypts and the like... any idea on how to get them out there?
 
I have the exact same issue at times.
The best deterrent to this problem is to be more watchful and pull them before they get established.
HOWEVER....when they start growing through other plants, if you reach in with both hands (difficult to do in a 55 gal. tank), take your left hand and place an index finger on one side of the plant and a middle finger on the other and pull the plant up between the two fingers, this will generally force the roots to come up straight and cause less disturbance to it's neighbor. Alternatively, you can put the finger on either side of the neighboring plant, holding it down, and pull the Val.
Experiment around and you'll develop a technique.
If you have a string of runners, cut each off after pulling and then go to the next. Slow and careful will usually do the job with little disturbance. You want to disturb Crypts. in particular as little as possible. When a choice needs to be made, I invariably side with the Cryptocoryne. They are my babies. :)

Len
 
Thank you djlen. I will surely give preference to my cryps. I like them, too! I only have the problem in a 20G tank, so it is not so difficult. I will try at next water change!
 
Good idea. Always do plant moving and/or uprooting before water changes. That way you can siphon off all the floating gunk that usually occurs.

Len
 
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