Bunched Plants

[Jay-93]

I recently bought 6 bunched plants from an aquatic store, they were roughly half the price of an actual plant. However, within a few weeks, I have two left.

Every day I was pick out individual stems of the plants that had been released from the 'bunch holders'. (Some sponge crammed into a plastic pipe used as an anchor).

Am I doing anything wrong or is this simply the reason they are so cheap, because they don't last long?

 

[Cazgar]

I take them out of the pipe & sponge & plant them in the substrate.
Had a few die, but mostly they do ok

 

[Jay-93]

But if I take them out of the sponge, my sand is only around an inch deep, they wouldn't stay in the substrate for 5 seconds, literally

 

[Cazgar]

You could use lead strips or stones to anchor them

 

[creeker]

Yeah, you need to remove the clip at the bottom and separate them. I usually pinch off the bottom inch or so that has been under the sponge. It is usually dead or dying in that spot. Maybe add a little more substrate, if you want to have natural looking plants.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Also, a lot of these stem plants will appear to die (or melt, as it is often referred to) but once it has acclimated to the lighting difference and the water parameters will start to put out new leaves. So, don't just assume that it is dead right away. I would leave the empty stem for a bit. If the stem remains green and somewhat stiff, it is still alive. If it turns brown and mushy, then get it out!

 

[Louiseness]

Yeah, what everyone else has said, if you leave them in the 'bunch holders' they will rot.

I only ever buy bunched plants (because I'm cheap ) and my sand is only about an inch deep. You just need to really push them in to get them to stay, especially if they're stems. occasionally yes, you do get some rogues floating away but just push them back in, they'll anchor themselves eventually. I've actually had success with stems in my betta tank where the sand is less than an inch sop I know it's possible.

To make it easier for yourself you could just make your sand a little deeper, or anchor them under a pebble until they hold on by themselves.

 

[MBOU]

Its all very well everyone advising on care for the plants and how to get them to survive...

But what species of plants are you actually buying?! You can get pretty much any species of plant potted, bunched or in ceramic pots or rings but doesnt mean they are true aquatics or they might have special requirements, like anything red, think waxy leaved, varigated or fluffy (excepting cabomba) is unlikely to survive in any/many aquariums.