Amazon Sword Question

[1stbetta]

I have a large Amazon Sword in my Betta's ten gallon, and it appears to be growing another sword off of one of its stems. So my question is, at what point can I remove the new plant and plant it in my substrate? It is sand, which I know isn't too good for plants, but it's all I have.

Also, I have a banana plant that appears to be shooting up a lily pad. Does this mean it will die soon, or did I read that wrong somewhere?

Finally (a lot of questions, I know), I am looking for something else that can handle sand and medium to low light. My tank is cycled, a steady 80, and gets light 12 hours a day.

 

[Colin_T]

Put the new sword onto some gravel/ sand in a pot and hold it there with a small rock or plant anchor. Over the next month or so it will grow roots into the gravel and when that has happened you can serparate it from the parent plant.
Alternatively leave it on the parent plant until it has a well developed root system. Then cut it off and plant it.

Banana plants are actually a type of water lily. If they are planted they send up leaves to the surface. At certain times of the year the floating leaves will break away and develop the banana shaped tubers. When these are fully formed the leaf rots away and the banana tubers sink to the bottom and grow into the substrate. Some leaves will develop roots and can be planted in the gravel straight away.

Try some Ambulia, Hygrophilla polysperma, Java Fern & Java Moss.

 

[1stbetta]

Thanks Colin. The thing is that the new sword is already growing roots that are free-floating. I want to detach it now, but there are other seeds aorund it and I don't want to disturb them. Should I remove the new sword anyway?

 

[Colin_T]

nope leave it attached. In the wild the little swordplant will actually detach itself when it is old enough to survive without the parent. They gradually loosen up and then seperate from the stem.