Roots coming out of my stem plants?

FrstTmr · 12-13-2012, 01:40 AM

This is probably a total newbie question but there seem to be roots growing out of my stem plants toward the substrate. What are these and if i cut the stem below these "roots" and replant it will it grow?

junglefowl · 12-13-2012, 01:45 AM

Yes it will grow!!!
If the stem is long, you can cut it half or more and replant it. Cut the root short too to make it easy to put under the substrate.
You will enjoy doing this when your plant grow more!!!

chevyguy8893 · 12-13-2012, 02:05 AM

They are called aerial roots. I get them on my rotala, cabomba, and hygro all the time. Most of the time, if I don't trim anything, a new stem branches from that point, or if snip the top off below the roots a new stem grows from the substrate. It seems that my really healthy stems do this more than the ones that are sub par.

CAM6467 · 12-13-2012, 03:29 AM

^^^Agreed! I've seen this a bunch with my healthier stem plants in the past. Sometimes it can be an eye sore, but you can always plant something near the base of your stems to hide the roots. I've used blyxa japonica and lobelia cardinalis for this purpose.

ADJAquariums · 12-13-2012, 08:40 PM

These roots are normal on stem plants. it is most commonly seen when theres not enough nutrients in the substrate and it is trying to draw some out of the water column. It still occurs when there is enough nutrients but just not a lot.

If you cut them they will still grow

12-13-2012, 01:40 AM	#1
FrstTmr Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 21	Roots coming out of my stem plants? This is probably a total newbie question but there seem to be roots growing out of my stem plants toward the substrate. What are these and if i cut the stem below these "roots" and replant it will it grow?

12-13-2012, 03:29 AM	#4
CAM6467 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (13/100%) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alvarado, Texas Posts: 591	^^^Agreed! I've seen this a bunch with my healthier stem plants in the past. Sometimes it can be an eye sore, but you can always plant something near the base of your stems to hide the roots. I've used blyxa japonica and lobelia cardinalis for this purpose. __________________ "Success is not the goal, it's merely a byproduct!" - The Fraternity of Dirt #66 - Just because it's dirt doesn't make it low-tech. Coach's 29 Gallon Coach's 10 Gallon (Retired) - Coach's 20L High-Tech (Retired)

12-13-2012, 08:40 PM	#5
ADJAquariums Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 966	These roots are normal on stem plants. it is most commonly seen when theres not enough nutrients in the substrate and it is trying to draw some out of the water column. It still occurs when there is enough nutrients but just not a lot. If you cut them they will still grow __________________ 40 gal http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2194146#post2194146 Breeding fish and Genetics thread http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=214906

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12-13-2012, 01:45 AM	#2
junglefowl Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Charlotte Posts: 330	Yes it will grow!!! If the stem is long, you can cut it half or more and replant it. Cut the root short too to make it easy to put under the substrate. You will enjoy doing this when your plant grow more!!!

12-13-2012, 02:05 AM	#3
chevyguy8893 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Hobart, Indiana Posts: 186	They are called aerial roots. I get them on my rotala, cabomba, and hygro all the time. Most of the time, if I don't trim anything, a new stem branches from that point, or if snip the top off below the roots a new stem grows from the substrate. It seems that my really healthy stems do this more than the ones that are sub par.