I have a feeling the answer's no, but will riccia attach onto rugged surfaces like wood or coconuts if it's held on, like java moss/fern? Or will it only grow out and only while held on?
Will riccia grow attached to anything?
- Thread starter Dwarf Puffers
- Start date
I used to make Riccia tunnels out of plastic gutter guards. It grew very well and very thick. But I had put bits of Riccia in between a row of the plastic, so it was sandwiched in. It stuck to itself fairly well, but I wouldn't say it grew to the plastic. It would be easier to grow a mat of Riccia and then cut it to fit(with the plastic still attached).
Okay, that's what I thought. I can still make stuff with riccia on it, I was just hoping I could cut the holds on it eventually. Guess I'm stuck with java moss, java fern and anubias in that department.
Riccia definitely will not attach by itself. A good way to attach it is to get a shower scrunchy and some plastic zip ties. Put some riccia on a rock, wrap it with a square of scrunchy (cut some squares) and pull it all together underneath. Secure that with the zip tie and you're good to go. It grows out pretty quick under good lighting and you never know the netting is there.
If you're attaching to a piece of driftwood, just use some fishing line, but tie it tight and use a lot of string. It comes loose easy and that stuff is impossible to remove once a piece is loose.
I'll attach a decent picture, should give you an idea of what I mean anyway.
If you're attaching to a piece of driftwood, just use some fishing line, but tie it tight and use a lot of string. It comes loose easy and that stuff is impossible to remove once a piece is loose.
I'll attach a decent picture, should give you an idea of what I mean anyway.
I "attach" riccia to driftwood by wrapping it in a tube (or bulb or whatever general shape you want) of plastic nettng, preferably black. Stitch it shut and stitch the ends together around the wood. A blob of silicone to hold it in place if the shape of the wood does't give something to hold it against current, tugs of nibbling fish, etc. Wait (as mentioned above) and in a week or two the netting completely disappears.
Unless, I found, you have serious nibbler fish like angels. They will pluck the individual riccia out of the grown-out portion and get it back down to the netting in fairly short order. And do not even think of using cloth in place of plastic, angels and their ilk will just shred that right away.
/goes off to gather up stray bits of cheesecloth and gaze forlornly at a great whacking blob of riccia returned to its natural habitat, the top of the tank.
Unless, I found, you have serious nibbler fish like angels. They will pluck the individual riccia out of the grown-out portion and get it back down to the netting in fairly short order. And do not even think of using cloth in place of plastic, angels and their ilk will just shred that right away.
/goes off to gather up stray bits of cheesecloth and gaze forlornly at a great whacking blob of riccia returned to its natural habitat, the top of the tank.
Another method: get some stainless steel wire, sold at any marine chandlery, double it back on itself for weight, wrap the bottom 3'8" or so of Riccia around it, and press down into substrate. Immediately invisible.