Plants Aren't Really Anchoring

[onidrase]

I've had my anubias and java ferns anchored onto driftwood for quite a while now with fishing string, and I'm not seeing any progress in regards to them actually sticking there so I can cut the string off without them floating away. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, or if it just takes a really long time, but it's a little worrying. Sometimes with the java ferns, leaves randomly fall off, and I don't even see much root growth on them. What exactly am I doing wrong? These things have a reputation of being hardy and growing in pretty much any lighting conditions, but the only things I've seen grow are the anubias, and the java ferns seem like they're just a bundle of leaves tied together with a black piece of string and spray painted green so nobody notices if they're dead

How long does this tend to take? What should I be expecting in regards to java fern growth? Should I up my lighting, add ferts, anything?

Thanks much

 

[Fishy friend2]

for me it took like 2-3 months...... have you tried to use it in a rocky setting exp:it being stuck into an area with many rocks, if it is in this setting then it will most likely anchor itself to a few rocks,

 

[gregswimm]

Try trimming the roots and upping the light for a wk or so.