Dwarf Hairgrass in 20H

[Crystaltears83]

Hey there everyone. First time poster here. I just wanted to ask a question about my new DHG. I bought it from petsmart and it came in a package like this:



I separated it into five clumps and planted them close together.

Looking at them though, after the hours of (attempted) gentle washing it took to get the gel out of the roots, they look all mingled, mangled, clumped and rather ugly.

I couldn't find any good info on how to handle the washing and planting of GH packaged this way so I just did the best I could manage but I really don't like it. It's been in the tank for a few weeks now.... 2 or 3ish and I can see that it is beginning to sprout runners but I worry that these five clumps will always look messy. What should I do? How can I fix it? If I remove the clumps and trim them into sections of 4-5 blades each and plant them a few cm apart will that hurt the new growth? Will it set things back? Is that how I should handle it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks! This is my first real attempt at a planted tank other than the cheapo amazon sword bulbs from wally world lol

I'm running very very low tech.

I have an aqueon 20H tank with matching hood that holds an 18" 15w bulb.
I have roughly 1 1/2-2 inch dirted tank with a 1 inch cap of gravel mixed with crushed coral.
Have a small heater that I use on the rare occasion that the temp dips.
A 30 gallon in-tank filter and a dual action air pump.

[Kathyy]

The old growth is going to die, it won't look awful in there forever. If you are seeing new growth you could cut the old stuff down to 1/2" or so, that might make it look better to you.

I wouldn't pull up the clumps and replant now, the new stuff is so tiny you wouldn't be able to replant it and the old stuff may have used up its stored resources on the new stuff so might not resprout as vigorously.

[Crystaltears83]

Okay. Yeah I trimmed it down to about half an inch when I planted to encourage new runners and new growth. Alright then thanks a bunch

[In.a.Box]

Where do you find this stuff? Was in petsmart today looking for this plant in a bag but couldn't find any.

[freph]

I didn't trim mine at all when I planted it and it's just as green as when I got the pack. Good bits of growth, too. As far as getting the gel out just squeeze the plant bunches together and just plant what's left of it. It's not going to hurt anything and will just break down anyway.

[zzrguy]

Soak mine in water and most of the gell came out. It looked real good the one of the fish started taering it out.

[big_trucks_1985]

mine is doing great 4 weeks later after it died out and come back

[Merth]

Ya I got one to try out as well what a "pita" to seperate.

[Smitty06]

It is really easy to separate, all you do is cut it into the small portions you need and soak in water and then run through running water. The gel comes out pretty easy.