[DeadlyMuffin]

I'm setting up a new tank and I noticed that the first plants I added are developing "spurs" where the leaves hit the stem that go down vertically. I've circled a couple in the picture. Are these roots forming? Since they're going straight down are they attempting to reach the substrate? I don't have CO2 on this tank (yet), so I'm worried it's a dissolved gas issue.

I'm new to both planted tanks and this site, sorry if this is a silly question or in the wrong spot.

 

[somewhatshocked]

They look like roots and are totally normal.

 

[danakin]

Yup, look like roots. You can trim them if you want.

 

[DeadlyMuffin]

Is there an easy way for me to tell what roots are ok to bury in the substrate? I know some are used for respiration/gas exchange and I want to avoid suffocating a plant if I can help it!

 

[somewhatshocked]

Don't worry about suffocating them. And it looks like you're doing a great job so far - nice, healthy plant in the image above.

 

[CAM6467]

You can trim the roots above the substrate as often as you see them. It will not hurt the plant at all. The leaves of the plants are responsible for more than just merely gathering light for photosynthesis. As is the case with terrestrial foliage, aquatic plants will respire through the leaves. They take in CO2, which is used in photosynthetic electron transport, and release O2. When you see "pearling", you are seeing the resulting O2 production from the plants' photosynthesis.

....and there is your plant anatomy/physiology lesson of the day! I hope I didn't bore you too much!

Charlie

 

[Diana]

When it is time to trim the plants, keep those roots and plant the cutting with those roots in the substrate.