stupid root question about plants

yohkos

yohkos

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Jul 2, 2005
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I am trying to maintain a planted tank. I don't know all the names :(

My question is a lot of them get leaves and roots going all the way up the stem? Do I cut them down and plant the rooted part? Not sure and when I prune them, where do I cut? They all seem to be growing pretty good but I am really confused how to prune since I am not a plant person outside the aquarium and have never really cut plants down. My experience is limited to pythos so this is all very new to me in and out of the water.

Thanks for your help in advance,
Kim
 
A lot of stem plants will produce aerial roots. On some of them - Hygrophila for instance - you can just pinch off the roots, if you want. Others, like Ludwigia, do not like having their roots cut. I general, just leave them. If they're driving you nuts, try cutting them off a couple of stems and watch what happens over the next week.

When the plants get too tall, I'm assuming that we're talking stem (or "bunch" plants) remove the bottom 1/3 just below a leaf node (where leaves and roots grow out of), but leave a couple millimetres of stem between the node and where you make your cut for the plant to heal itself. Throw away the bottom. Carefully prune off the bottom 2 or 3 sets of leaves and replant the top part. Voila.

If you're trying to propagate the stem plant, just cut it into thirds and plant all three. New shoots should grow out of the nodes. When these get tall enough, just cut them off the same as above and throw away the cut off part.
 
Thanks for your replies. The roots don't bother me, I was just wondering if I was planting them wrong. Thanks ;)
 
yohkos said:
Mooch that was cute...like your sense of humor. :clap:
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Hockey (Habs), Fish and Humor are my life. Ive been going through a lot with a drug addict brother, and other health problems throughout the family, not to mention numerous other problems. Of course then theirs univeristy......

Humor helps me stay sane, and helps me deal with most of my problems. As they say, wana stay healthy, just put on a great big smile! :D
 
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