[jmeeter]

So earlier I got the "itch" and decided to rescape some of my tank. What a nightmare it turned in to!! I couldn't believe some of the root structures I pulled up. One of the Argentine swords had 6" of roots and uprooted several nearby plants...

How do you guys manage your roots/plants when you move things around?

 

[Nordic]

You can trim roots, just like you can trim branches.

 

[SwissCheeseHead]

I also just trim mine when I move things around.

 

[Diana]

All those roots are helping oxygenate the substrate. Be happy the plants are doing so well.

However, trim as needed when you rescape.

 

[JJ09]

Trimming the roots stimulates the plant to grow more when you replant it, too.

 

[t-mare]

are you all saying that you trim the roots before/as you are uprooting the plant?
and then leave the old roots underneath the substrate?

 

[CowBoYReX]

On large swords some people plant them in the substrate in a pot, helps with the roots and helps to control the size of the sword

 

[Monster Fish]

are you all saying that you trim the roots before/as you are uprooting the plant?
and then leave the old roots underneath the substrate?

Yes. You can either cut them while they're in the substrate with a sharp knife or scalpel or use a pair of scissors and cut the exposed roots as you slowly pull up the plant from the substrate.

 

[JJ09]

are you all saying that you trim the roots before/as you are uprooting the plant?
and then leave the old roots underneath the substrate?

Yes, if they're really long. I always wonder if a new plant will grow from some of those cut roots left under there, but it hasn't happened yet. Probably they rot and the snails eat them.