H C Planting Tips

[George Farmer]

Calling all those with HC experience.

How did you plant? Some plant 1cm clumps, some individual plants.

1-2mm gravel, 5 bursting Tropica pots over a 12x8" footprint. Individual plants would take literally all day, but if that's what it takes to get the best results...........I have fine tweezers and sharp scissors.

 

[planter]

George,

I divided one tropica pot into 4 or 6 pieces and planted the clumps! Also I cut the rockwool growing media and short as I dare leaving just enough to act as anchorage in the substrate. Planted them about 4 weeks ago and growth rate has been fast. Plant each clump 5 or 6 cm apart they soon carpet! will try to get you a pic or two! I get the impression HC is reasonbly tuff.

 

[voo]

I tried it with individual roots planting in sand. It was a complete failure. It was really hard getting it to stay in the sand when planting it and i spent ages on it, just to see it get pulled up and float away. I gave up in the end.

Good luck

 

[Graeme Edwards]

If it was my HC i would pant it in 1cm clumps and 1cm apart from each clump. Your subsrate is a fine gravel if i remeber right, so that should hold the HC down ok.

HC doesn't mined being trimed back regularly once it has fully carpeted the substrate.

Really easy plant to keep, it does need good light and Co2 but you have go that in hand so you should have no problems.

 

[scubadoo]

Really easy plant to keep, it does need good light and Co2 but you have go that in hand so you should have no problems.

Hmmmmm ....... Tropica's description says that the lighting requirements range from low - very high.

I'm planning a low tech nano (no Co2) at the moment (using the PFK aquacube) and had thought of using HC , but if it really needs high light, then I assume it wont work, or maybe it would get straggly ?

 

[RadaR]

Really easy plant to keep, it does need good light and Co2 but you have go that in hand so you should have no problems.

Hmmmmm ....... Tropica's description says that the lighting requirements range from low - very high.

I'm planning a low tech nano (no Co2) at the moment (using the PFK aquacube) and had thought of using HC , but if it really needs high light, then I assume it wont work, or maybe it would get straggly ?

Up the lighting by balancing one or two tubes ontop of the tank. I wonder if the clip-on arcadia would work It comes with Original Tropical tubes though and ive heard they are old technology and not that good for plants.

 

[Themuleous]

When I first used it in my nano I planted each individual stem, it took sodding ages, but I the result was excellent. That said lots of people plant it in clump with good results. My only slight concern would be that 1) you end up putting lots of mineral wool in the tank, which I always try to avoid and 2) I would always worry that the centre of the clumps would rot in the confined space whilst they adapt to the different surroundings. But I believe Oliver Knott cuts each pot into four and plants those.

HTH

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks for all the speedy responses.

Looks like I'll split the pots into small clumps and space them apart.

Hopefully I'll have some new journal photos for you soon.

 

[Themuleous]

Good good