Ruud Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) So dipping into the world of planted tanks, I am currently setting up a 96 liter/25 gallon tank. I have substrate in it and bought a few plants: Java Fern, Anubias Nana, Echinadorus Bleheri and one that I thought was really pretty but I don't know what it is. Can someone help me id this one: Any tips for planting and maintaining this plant? Also a few more generic plant related questions: - The Echinadorus, do I plant it with the roots level in the substrate, or with the roots a bit above the substrate? - The Anubius Nana petite, I don't want to glue it on wood (I did glue the Java fern) so can I just plant it in the substrate? Again, do I plant it so the roots are still visible? Thank you so much! Ruud Edited November 10, 2020 by Ruud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickS77 Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 The plant in question looks like Corkscrew Val to me 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruud Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 Thanks @MickS77! You might be right, do these Valisneria's typically have these sprouts going to the surface?? Should I cut them out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 1 hour ago, MickS77 said: The plant in question looks like Corkscrew Val to me I second @MickS77 on the corkscrew Vallisneria. Typically the runners extend to the next patch of soil near the parent plant and then root and grow into new plants. With the Echinodorus the root/crown interface should be just a tiny bit above the substrate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruud Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 Thanks @Daniel @MickS77 , I thought so .... I do struggle however with the substrate to keep the plant attached whilst still seeing a bit of the white of the root. Even more with the Vallisneria. Must be because the substrate isn't that compact. Any trick to this? I never been really into plants, but with this tank they are really growing (hopefully pun) on me! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 This is what Vallisnera americana looks like growing the wild. When I have seen the natural substrate it is usually a sandy, or silty river bottom. But, there is hope. If you can temporarily weigh the runners down (even if your substrate is a light loose large gravel) the runners will send roots down and eventually make firm contact and then you can remove the weight. If your question is about how to get the main plant to stay down when you first plant it, then again either find some way of weighing it down or if you have to, then bury the crown. The plant won't like it but it will often grow anyway. Vallisneria is not a hard plant to grow once you get it started but very often I have a devil of a time getting it started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruud Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 Cheers @Daniel that's helpfull! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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