Cabomba on the loose!

[phishluvr]

My cambomba plant keeps uprooting itself. It's not in the filter's current and I haven't seen any fish disturbing it. I have witnessed it just floating up by itself.

I've tried putting them in groups of three, really compacting the soil around them, and making sure they aren't top-heavy.

is there a way to anchor these guys?

ps-I don't think it's a hornwort

 

[FrAnK3333]

Thats wierd becuase my cabomba in my 20 gallon which has a emperor 400, which is a lot of current, my cabomba doesnt even need a plant anchor, or anything. Infact my 2 cabombas have never uprooted on me. What did was anacharis which I ended uo just giving away because they were getting me mad. My suggestion would to buy plant anchors at your lfs. It should do the job.

 

[Discomafia]

Mine used to do the same thing too, back when I used gravel as substrate... The thing is it didn't root itself very well, but was growing alright and even flowered 2 or 3 times...

 

[Mr Miagi]

Bummer, i hate it when plants uproot themselves..

Personally, ive had more success with plants in sand rather than gravel. Both staying in, and growing! But thers might argue with me!

What fish do you have in your tank?

 

[phishluvr]

Mine used to do the same thing too, back when I used gravel as substrate... The thing is it didn't root itself very well, but was growing alright and even flowered 2 or 3 times...

what's your substrate now? i'm using soil with small gravel overlay.

FrAnK3333 - I guess I could use metal anchors, but I replant trimmings. It would be a pain and messy to disturb the soil so often. I wondered if there's a reason they won't stay and root. maybe they don't like the soil.

 

[phishluvr]

What fish do you have in your tank?

gourmais, rams and kuhli loaches. but I haven't seen them swimming in or bothering the plant.

 

[yvez9]

my cabomba took weeks to grow enough roots to anchor properly.

I had to replant them every day back then. But eventually they root and it's all good!

 

[Discomafia]

My substrate is play sand now, but I've since sold the plant. Sorry, should have mentioned all that in my other post...

 

[phishluvr]

ok, it sounds like it just needs more time to root. Thanks all for the help!

 

[Nisha]

My gouramis loved to nibble on my red cabomba and would uproot it all the time. I don't think it ever rooted properly.
Lead weights should help to keep the plant in place and keep an eye on those gouramis.

 

[Lateral Line]

Be careful when cutting or plant bunch plants that you use sharp tools. Crushing the stems as you cut or plant will simply allow them to rot. After cutting with a sharp knife, I let cuttings float for a week or so to allow the cut end to heal.

Planting a rotting end in the substrate will be useless, the lower part will rot through and the top float free again.

 

[FrAnK3333]

My 2 cabomba did well both in gravel and sand. Infact it was hard to get out of the gravel when I changed to sand because of the roots.I would defintely go for the plant anchors, lead weights, though there not made of lead.

 

[Jen]

my hygro trimmings do the same thing. When I bury the stem in the sand, I bury it up to a leaf, and put a heavier rock on the leaf to weigh it down. About a week later the stem has grown enough roots to keep it in place and I remove the rock

 

[phishluvr]

Lateral line, i did not know this. thanks for the info.

They'll be weighted after a week floating now, and will keep a closer eye on the gouramis. I'll also try the weighting with a rock. great idea!

thanks everyone!

 

[Mr Miagi]

Sounds like your Kuhlis might have to do with it to me! Lol, they burry themselves and dig alot.....heheheh. Little cutties!

You could also use those aquarium magnets that you clean your glass with, place the stem in between them and it will hold the plant under till it grows roots if letting it float looks unsightlful.

Goodluck

Benny