Re: [GSAS-Member] Keeping Groundcover Plants in the Substrate

["Clifford Miller" <clifford@clevergeek.com>]

I've found the Soilmaster I'm using in several of my tanks now to be quite
a bit lighter than the play-sand-over-yard-loam in several of my other
setups.

Planting these by hand is a pain because each one you actually get set
knocks two others loose, but I've found it to be quite easy using 12"-18"
hemostats/forceps/tweezers (which can be picked up off ebay, most flea
markets, or probabably a discount hardware like harbour freight nice and
cheap...~$10...they'll cost at least twice as much via medical supply).

I break the clumps (baby's tears/gloss) or strings (chain swords/sag) into
small sections or even into individual plantlets and just jam them down
into the substrate...sometimes so deep I can barely see them (esp glos). 
Once they put out runners seem to stay nice and secure. If you happen to
be using CO2/light/ferts it won't take them long to spread.

Cliff

> I was reading Roy's email about the foreground plants he brought to the
> auction and was so excited by the idea.  The challenge I have is that the
> Glossostigma and other small plants I have bought never stay in the
> substrate. The roots are simply too short. They float to the top when even
> touched by a fish or even if the water is moving.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions for making this work?  I would so love to
> have some serious groundcover.
>
> Thanks
> Shango
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com
> [mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Seattle_Aquarist
> Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 4:37 PM
> To: gsas-member@thekrib.com
> Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] New 20 gal: looking for foreground plants;
> also,
> cannister filter brand tips?
>
> Hi Matt,
>
>
>
> I picked up a "Foreground Package" of plants at the annual auction which
> contained: Hemianthus callitrichoides (HC); Echinodorus tenellus (Pygmy
> Chain Sword); Glossostigma elatinoides (Glossostigma).  It was just what I
> was looking for to trial with the Sagittaria subulata  (Dwarf Sagittaria)
> that I already had in the tank.  All four are working well but the one I
> like the best so far is the Hermianthus callitrichoides (HC) because of
> the
> very small, fine leaves and low creeping habit.  Sorry I do not have any
> extra to share since I just planted it two weeks ago, but it is rooting
> and
> spreading in my natural gravel tank. Maybe someone else has some to offer.
>
>
>
> Roy
>
>
>
>
>
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