is it okay not to plant in substrate?

[danski]

was just wondering since i have sand substrate if its okay not to plant in a laterite or gravel substrate. all my plants are tied to african rootwood with sewing string. besides all the roots exposed which i dont really mind are they okay with roots just hanging feeding from the water cloumn. i have lots of anubias and java fern and swords. they all look okay roots shooting everywhere. can those roots be cut? (prob a dumb question)

 

[Nospherith]

I don't think it would be advisable to cut a plant's roots unless you are replanting it. Given time, the java fern's roots will and anchor on the driftwood so string won't be necessary, the same may go for anubias. Swords should be planted in the substrate. Although sand is not ideal they can still grow in it.

 

[danski]

can i grow plants like java and anubias or all plants for that matter without using laterite or gravel. i love the sand and so do my loaches and cory. i dont want gravel yet i want to have lotsa plants and im heading that way yet im only tying these to african root. is this okay? thanks