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Vallisneria Not Doing Very Well

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Offline Mascol

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Vallisneria not doing very well
« on: June 30, 2016, 07:46:52 PM »
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So my new Roma 240 is fully cycled as off yesterday (yay). In the last couple of weeks I have been adding a few plants to this tank. The java ferns have taken to the new tank and have grown a lot. They look really healthy. The java moss on the other hand has grown a bit, but was suffering quite a lot from hair algae. Things seem to be improving in that department, maybe because the filter has started to do its 'thang'.

Last week I bought some vallisneria on the basis that it definitely likes hard water. However, I've now realised that most of the plants have absolutely tiny roots of about 1 cm long  >:( It's difficult to plant them without burying the white crown. I'm thinking of wrapping the roots in some wadding (white fluffy stuff used for sewing padded blankets etc) to make it easier for the plant to stay in the substrate and actually grow some proper roots. Has anyone tried anything like that?
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Offline Matt

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Re: Vallisneria not doing very well
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2016, 08:26:42 PM »
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I have had the same situation as you mascol - these plants are not the fastest growing and I have personally found them difficult to root.  I would not be overly concerned at the thought of planting them a little (only a little) too deep to aid this - you could always uncover a bit of substrate at a later date once they are properly rooted should you so wish.  Your plan sounds sensible but I also wonder if it would restrict the plant rooting as it tends to root more horisontally than down into the substrate.... perhaps if you could get hold of some lead strips ( those commonly sold with bunched plants) you might be able to loosely wrap this around the "stem" of the plant to add some weight.  I have also found that it responds well to root tablets which might also encourage root growth.  I'm not sure how helpful I've just been but your definitely on the right tracks - experiment with the kit you've got to hand to find the best option and just go for it!

Are you dosing any liquid carbon? I only dose low levels as these plants are not a fan of the stuff weirdly.

Ill let you know if anything else pops to mind!

Edited to add: my 100th post  :cheers:
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Offline Paddyc

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Re: Vallisneria not doing very well
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2016, 08:42:23 PM »
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Quote from: Matt on June 30, 2016, 08:26:42 PM
perhaps if you could get hold of some lead strips ( those commonly sold with bunched plants) you might be able to loosely wrap this around the "stem" of the plant to add some weight.



I have loads of these... Just drop me a PM with your address and I'll send you a handful, Mascol
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Offline Fiona

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Re: Vallisneria not doing very well
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2016, 07:54:20 PM »
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Best way I've found to plant them is stick them reasonably deep in the substrate and then gently pull the plant up until the crown is clear. Also growing the roots on a little bit before you plant them helps.
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Offline Mascol

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Re: Vallisneria not doing very well
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2016, 07:41:54 AM »
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What I have learned from this is to hang on to the little lead strips and not chuck them out!

Thank you for your offer Paddy, that's very kind, but I've come up with a DIY solution. We had some empty small clear plastic water bottles lying around. Can't remember the brand (Aqua something?) but it was made of fairly thin soft plastic. I've cut out small circles, cut a cross in the centre and carefully pushed the root through (this was a little tricky to do). I've then planted the plant and covered this collar with some substrate to anchor it down. Once the roots have grown a bit (a few weeks?), I'll cut the collars off.

Hopefully this will work. The cardinals have already taken to swimming through the vallisneria,  and I'd like them to have a nice underwater forest  ;)
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Offline Matt

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Re: Vallisneria not doing very well
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2016, 07:58:29 AM »
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Ingenious  :cheers:
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Offline ColinB

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Re: Vallisneria not doing very well
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2016, 11:03:14 AM »
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ooooo - that's clever. 8)
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Offline Paddyc

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Re: Vallisneria not doing very well
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2016, 12:01:18 PM »
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No problem, glad you've found a solution...  ;)

Keep us posted on how that works out, we love DIY stuff here, and pics!!  8)
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Offline Littlefish

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Re: Vallisneria not doing very well
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2016, 02:15:42 PM »
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Genius.  8)
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