Plants Just Won't Grow

[Fisses]

no matter what i do, what plants i buy they all just seem to die off withing a month or so after purchase!!

i;ve got a 60 litre tank with standard tube light and just bog standard set up. All i wanna do is grow a couple of plants!!

what can i b doing wrong?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Are you adding any ferts?

What is your WPG (watts per gallon)?

How long do you keep your lights on a day?

-FHM

 

[Fisses]

no ferts

just a standard 15 or 18" tube light

lights on for around 9 hours a day


i know the answer will probably be that im not adding ferts, but i dont want a massive planted tank or anything, i jus want a couple of plants to make my tank look nice S

 

[bitteraspects]

What type of plants are they?
Different plants have different lighting requirements, so it could be that your plants are not the right ones for your current set up.

 

[Fisses]

i have a java fern that is lodged into my bogwood, but it doesnt seem to be growing but neither is it dying.

then ive got one that is like really fine pines upside down in an umbrella shape

 

[bitteraspects]

Java fern is a pretty slow growing plant. How long have you had it?

 

[fatheadminnow]

You should have enough light for Java fern.

My answer is that you are not adding ferts. Adding ferts may not make your plants "blow up" it will just simply provide them with the nutrients they need to grow.

-FHM

 

[Ethan040]

Try elodea ive got it in my tank i use no ferts yet and have a small 11w arcadia pod light and it must grow about 5inches a week im forever cutting it back.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Try elodea ive got it in my tank i use no ferts yet and have a small 11w arcadia pod light and it must grow about 5inches a week im forever cutting it back.

Different water sources provide different trace nutrients for plants. Such as yours, where you do not even have to add any ferts for the plants to grow. However like my water source, I must add ferts or my plants would die.

-FHM

 

[Fisses]

i HAD some java fern on some bog wood, but i kept gettin hair algae on the bogwood it was attached to so i binned the bogwood and plant and got some more bogwood and took some pieces off someone else java fern, that was about 2 months ago now and theyve never grown, but neither have they died!!

ok i've taken your advice, and ive been to pets at home and ive bought some 'plant food' which you does in the tank evry 2 weeks so i will just have to see how i get on, just hope the plant food doesnt have any side effects such as increased algae growth or something S

 

[RadaR]

No, plant food or even excess plant food will no promote algae blooms.

 

[three-fingers]

How are you planting the plants? Are you planting them in bunches? Are you leaving the pots/lead weight/foam on?

If so, that would contribute to them dying.

Is the Java fern just leaf cuttings or it it a proper plant with roots and a rhizome?

What plants are you trying (pics if possible).

IMO, most of the time, people have trouble with plants because they 1) plant them wrong and 2) choose species unsuitable for their aquarium (a lot of LFS plants aren't suited to most tanks, and loads are actually non-aquatic).

You don't need to worry about having loads of light or fertilisers to have a successful planted tank, you just need to choose plant species carefully and plant them properly.

 

[Deleted member 55926]

How are you planting the plants? Are you planting them in bunches? Are you leaving the pots/lead weight/foam on?

I planted mine by removing the weights and wadding, then I noticed that they were mostly bunched in little groups, so I separated them and planted the individual pieces. Is this correct?

Do plants need to be pushed down below the gravel into the substrate, or will their roots find their way down? My gravel is 2-3" deep in places, and I'm worried the plants will die if I half bury them just to get them down to the substrate.

 

[three-fingers]

That is correct, plant each stem individually an inch or two apart.

I usually push stems right down to the soil/fertiliser layer in my tanks, even in my 5'x2'x2' where the substrate is 5" deep in places, I've never worried about it and I'd say they grow faster initially this way, but the roots will find their own way down anyway so I wouldn't bother replanting in your case .

 

[Fisses]

ok ive pretty binned my plants i had and i've invested in some new ones:

from left to right i have this one i havent got a clue what its called:

now these are my Java Fern.. i have some of it pushed into a crevice in the bog wood hoping it'll take to the wood, and the other in a pot as i dont know what to do with it:

and finally my long tall kinda plant, obviously i dont have a clue what its called:

please can somoene help, as i'm worried ive done all this wrong!!!