Stupid Question About Roots

[Jinty McGinty]

Why is this plant shooting off roots midway up the plant?

It's been in the tank for 2 weeks and nearly all the stems are doing this. And what should I do with them now?

 

[Clarousel]

I got that plant in my tank too and its an elodea. I don't really know much about plants but when I bought it it had roots sprouting from the stems too.

 

[Verminator89]

This is perfectly natural, don't worry. Theres nothing you can do to discourage it as its all part of how this plant grows. Just keep trimming it and replanting the top part down in the substrate as it grows toward the water surface, unless you like it gorwing up then leaning over and growing horizontally across the top of the tank? Atleast you know its nice and healthy right?

 

[Jinty McGinty]

Thank you.

So just have to snip off where the root is and plant it down? I have visions of tons of Elodea in my tank in a few months time if it is so happy in there

 

[Verminator89]

Its fast growing stuff. Mine used to grow about 4" every day, so i chucked it in my pond outside. Where it still resides to this day after about 4 years in their. Not bad concidering how cold/icy UK winters can be!

It doesnt matter at what point your cut it at and replant. You could cut the top 1 inch off and replant or the top 5 inch. Either way, if its happy it'll jsut keep growing. The former would mean a little less frequent trimming, but its entirely up to you how much you trim off and replant. The bit you cut it off can also be replanted, and it'll sprout two new shoots from the point it was snipped, thus multiplying your stock.

 

[Jinty McGinty]

Thanks. I've got a fair bit of cutting to do then, the more I look the more roots I can see.

 

[rosswarren]

Every day it is longer, every night there are more roots! Mine is spreading like crazy.

 

[laura120381]

i agree!! i used to have it in my 200l tank. i went on holiday and when i got back it had grown so much it was almost completely covered the surface of the water!! my poor wee fish were trying to find a space to get some air!! i ended up taking it out as i got fed up trimming it!! good luck with it!!

L