Trimming Roots - Crypts

[James0816]

Well...I started to thin my crypt jungle and boy was I surprised. The root systems are amazingly large and long. Here's a pic of what I'm dealing with.

Now...my question...should I trim these back before replanting and if so...how much safely without affecting the plant?

 

[msjinkzd]

I try not to trim teh roots too much as this seems to contribute to them melting. I wrap them around my finger to form a sort of bolus and plant them that way.

 

[James0816]

I've never trimmed myself. I just stuff everything back under the substrate. Just curious if I should or not with how long these jokers are.

 

[Chrisinator]

If it's crypts, I wouldn't cut the roots since that could start melting and even though the leaves will grow back, it's going to be slow. Cutting roots in other plants encourages them to grow new roots.

 

[thrak76]

I did a major crypt trim last month. I trimmed all the roots on all the plants. So far after replanting, no melt, and new growth. I guess i just got lucky!

 

[fishorama]

I've trimmed crypt roots a bit too without much melting, lost a leaf or 2.

 

[cichlidcichlid]

The last time I trimmed the roots down on cork screw vals they didn't do so well afterward. Leave it alone or plant it in the substrate trust me.

 

[Hollygirl]

When I removed some of my Crypts to use in another tank I made the mistake of trimming the roots on one of them. The leaves just withered away. I do what msjinkzd suggested; make a kind of tight bulb with the root and plant the entire thing. They do well that way in my tanks.

 

[James0816]

Well...I decided against the trimming. I just kneaded the roots into the substrate. Have some smaller fibers to work in but that can happen over time. If it were another tank....maybe. Just need the foliage. Don't want to risk losing the cover. Mama Oto would not appreciate that very well.

 

[jptjpt]

Looks like it could be either way. I have trimmed the roots of Crypt wendtii, parva, and petchii down to about 1.5-2" and have never had the drastic melting that some members have reported. The plants have always gone back to the same tank I took them out of, so maybe that helped.