Nailing Jello To A Tree!

[InaneCathode]

I never really noticed anywhere on this forum that details how you're supposed to plant plants. How to do it, what to not do, so on so forth. I'm having second thoughts on my planting job myself, and i'm not really sure how to get these guys planted right.
I've some java ferns, dwarf onions, and a lizard ivy (terrestrial, planted correctly i'm assuming, growing well, looking healthy)
I've had the DAMNEST time getting my stupid dwarf onions planted. Its hard to describe, but they refuse to stay seated in my gravel, and i'm not even going into how frustrating it is to get the roots in (read, bulb goes in, roots come out, roots go in, bulb comes out, cat enters room, begins meowing, bulb and roots come out, java fern floats to the top of the tank for no reason)
I'm also worried about the 'rhizomes' i think they're called? How do i know if i buried them or not
Also, theres some bits of root from my dwarf onions kinda tendrilly floating about the main bulb with some of the roots staying buried. Will this harm my onions?
Can java moss just sit on the bottom? I got /way/ too much at the lfs (really cheap though, so why not, right?). Some of it is rubberbanded onto a rock, some of it is hooked/resting on an ornament, and yet some of it is just sitting on the bottom undisturbed.

In short: How the HELL do you plant these things!? It's like trying to nail jello to a tree!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

java fern should be tied onto bogwood/rocks

moss won't just sit on the floor, that'll need to be tied down to start with once it takes hold it won't but it'll just float around if you try and get it to sit on the gravel.

not sure about the onions though sorry!

 

[InaneCathode]

java fern should be tied onto bogwood/rocks

moss won't just sit on the floor, that'll need to be tied down to start with once it takes hold it won't but it'll just float around if you try and get it to sit on the gravel.

not sure about the onions though sorry!

O_O What? Are you seriously suggesting i attempt to tie these things onto other things?
I'm scared!
I thought they're like rooted plants, and need their little root end jammed into the substrate?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yes, you take some bogwood or whatever your gonna attach it to out of the tank, along with the plant, get some plain black cotton and just tie them on, put it back in the tank, it's ridiculously easy

 

[voo]

I've no idea about onion plants, never had any experience with them.
However java ferns i keep myself, and just recently tied a load to some wood. Can be quite time consuming, wrapping the thread around the wood, between the leaves etc, but it's simple. After an hour of tying java fern to the wood i got bored, so i put the wood in the tank and just wedged the other leaves in there, hoping the roots will grow and take hold

Java moss is the same, best attached to something. It does best when spread out thinly so that it can attach itself to whatever you are tying it to. If it's layered, ie 2-3+ strands on top of each other, the top strands will float off as they won't attach to anything.

 

[InaneCathode]

So, java ferns can't root in a gravel substrate?

 

[DarkEntity]

Yes they can, but will grow better attached to Bog Wood or such

 

[RadaR]

If the rhizome of it is buried then the plant will rot.
Onion plants- Plant so the top 2/3 of the bulb is visible

 

[InaneCathode]

Looks like i have some work to do when i get home T_T
I'm really, really not looking forward to... tying... my fern onto my bogwood. We are talking about the little wavy leaved plants right?
What does the rhizome look like?
I'm also curious how duckweed reproduces. I've got a dozen or so little pieces in my tank, they look like little green parachutes.

PS: I apparently have miracle bogwood. It hasnt stained the water at all, and the ph hasn't moved a bit since i've added it!

 

[voo]

the rhizome is the thick part which all the leaves and roots branch off from. It's not as bad as you think once you get started. Hardest part if figuring where to tie and wrap the thread
Just make sure the leaves don't dry out too much if it takes you a while.

 

[InaneCathode]

the rhizome is the thick part which all the leaves and roots branch off from. It's not as bad as you think once you get started. Hardest part if figuring where to tie and wrap the thread
Just make sure the leaves don't dry out too much if it takes you a while.

I'm seriously knackered from work tonight, probably tomorrow i'll take a few out and tie em on.
The more i think about it, the more i think i didnt bury any of the rhizomes, as i have pretty coarse gravel and although there may be the stray bit, theres plenty of water flow and room around them. I think.

(psst, make sure to comment on my snail eggs too!)