How To Properly Plant The Plants In The Aquarium?

The acquired plants are carefully examined, diseased and decaying parts are removed, the roots are cleaned of dirt and rinsed in water. In plants with a shortened stem and a powerful root system, the roots are thinned out, and the remaining ones are cut to a length of 2-3 cm. After cutting the roots, the plants grow better. In plants with a small number of thin roots, they are not touched or cut very sparingly (in Anubias, the roots are not touched).

In cuttings of plants with an elongated stem, remove the lower part with roots and leaves, but less than 3-4 nodes should not be left. Each plant, after planting, loses old roots and forms new ones, so it becomes difficult for plants to grow, so try to avoid repotting frequently.

Items you will need for planting aquarium plants

It is good to disinfect the plants before planting. To do this, each of them must be rinsed for about five minutes in a weak solution of table salt, the water must be slightly salted in taste (one teaspoon per liter of water). This must be done in order to eliminate harmful organisms that may enter the aquarium with plants.

Plants can be planted in an aquarium in two ways: either they can be planted in wet sand before pouring water, or after some of the water has already been poured. In the first method, it is easier to strengthen the plant in the ground, and in the second, it is easier to give the plant the desired position.

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In both cases, the plants are planted in holes that are made in sandy soil. When planting, care must be taken that the roots of the plant do not bend. Remember: the roots of aquatic plants are very delicate and can break easily if handled carelessly. Therefore, be especially careful and careful!

Planting aquarium plants in the water

Planting plants after pouring water … The ends of the tweezers pinch the roots of the plant or the end of the stem of the cutting and insert into the ground, then open the ends and carefully remove the tweezers at an angle to the plant. Plants with a shortened stem are planted so that the root collar is only covered with soil, and cuttings of plants with an elongated stem are planted to a depth of 3-5 cm, with each cutting being planted separately at a distance of at least the length of the leaf from one another. In plants with a rhizome, tuber or bulb, the roots can be cut almost completely, as the plant will live off reserve nutrients. A long, horizontally located rhizome is additionally slightly pressed into the ground with your fingers. If the plant has a large lifting force and floats, then the rhizome is previously tied with a nylon thread to the stone, and it can be removed after the plant has taken root. Thai fern and key moss are also attached to a stone or snag, and bolbitis and Javanese moss can simply be put on the place intended for them and they will attach themselves. The tuber of the plant cannot be completely immersed in the ground, it must be open from above. Before planting, the bulb is wrapped with filter wool or peat fibers, leaving a free space for root growth.

How to plant a plant correctly

Floating plants are allowed into the water after filling the aquarium with water. If it is necessary that they occupy a certain area, then it is limited by a nylon thread tied to suction cups attached to the walls of the aquarium.

Planting plants before pouring water. A hole is made with a stick or finger in the soil and the plant is lowered into it, after which the soil is squeezed around it, while the roots should hang down, and not bend up and come out to the surface.

Never plant plants in the front of the aquarium, otherwise you will not be able to observe the life of your underwater world.

Never plant different plants nearby. Remember that plants compete with each other for light, nutrition, and living space. Therefore, plants are usually planted in groups - each group consists of plants of the same species.

How to attach an aquarium plant to a stone

Do not plant too densely, especially fast growing plants. They will soon grow, and you will have to clear the aquarium of underwater thickets. In addition, closely planted plants will interfere with each other, some of them will be in a depressed state.

Light-loving plants are planted near the most illuminated wall of the aquarium. Large bushes are planted either at the back wall or in the corners. Make sure that light-loving plants do not shade each other.

Before choosing a place for a plant, remember how this plant relates to light, what kind of light is best for it.

"Aquarium. Aquatic Plants ". V. Mikhailov

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