How to plant small patches of HC?

Too bad about the small portion.

You can try to grow the HC emersed until the root structure appears again. Then afterwards separate into small parts, use tweezers and plant them apart. The more spaced out they are, the faster they will fill in the empty parts.

I wouldn't be too disheartened simply plant it stem by stem about 1cm apart and wait it out, it helps too if there's nothing to disturb it ie. shrimp since this will slow it down.
This is how I planted mine and it's coming along nicely now just don't give up on it.

garuf said:

I wouldn't be too disheartened simply plant it stem by stem about 1cm apart and wait it out, it helps too if there's nothing to disturb it ie. shrimp since this will slow it down.
This is how I planted mine and it's coming along nicely now just don't give up on it.

Click to expand...

I couldn't find any stems. it was all smashed in a ball wrapped in wet newspaper when I received it...

I just put it down and threw some gravel on the edges. hopefully the middle parts root and start to grow out.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

efish

I would be contacting the person who sold it you

In cases like these, you can float the HC in a small container near the top of your aquarium. Just make sure that the container gets moving water.

The HC will start adapting and grow new, white roots in about a week. Remove the brown, dead roots/parts and you can plant them with ease.