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When buying potted plants there is this stuff in the pot, I'm not sure what it is. Should I leave it on the plant and just pot the whole thing in there? or should I try to remove it? And just what is that stuff anyways?

what is it?

Hi,
When you receive your new plants and are back at home break
the plastic pots away from the plants. Don't try to take
the plant out of the pot, take the pot from the plant.
I do that by clipping the plastic apart till the plant and
the filler are free of the plastic pot.

The filler is a fiber that the baby plants or seeds are
wrapped in. Then the pot is immersed in a tray of water
that is rich in nutrients and under just the right amount
of light. As the seed blooms or the baby plant grows, the
fiber provides the "substrate" for the new roots to grow
into and the plant mature.

Because the nutrient rich water flows through the fiber
it can retain much of the nutrients and could release them
into the tank causing an algae outbreak. Conversely should
you bury the plant and the fiber, the fiber will prevent
the nutrients in the tank from getting to the roots and
the plant can die and rot from the roots being starved
of the circulation that they are used to.

Once you have separated the plant and fiber from the pot,
under running water (the same temp as the tank) you should
then start to unwrap the fiber from the plant roots.
Gently tease the fiber from the roots and remove any
brown or black roots that you see. Run your fingers along
the leaves and stems to feel for any snail eggs and remove
the eggs if you find any. At the same time remove any
leaves that are yellowing or brown (dying or dead).
Next, decide where you want to the plant to be within your
tank's aqua-scape and plant it.

Once planted the plant will have to acclimate to its new
surroundings. New roots will grow during this period and the
plant will use its stored energy developing new leaves as
well. The older ones will yellow and die as the new leaves
begin to sprout. Leave the plant, where you planted it for
at least a month before moving it again (if necessary).

Hope this helps...
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Frank has given you some very usefull information there.

When I have purchased plants in pots I clean then under a tap of warm running water to remove most of the gunk/fibre around the roots also cleaning all the leaves with my fingers. I remove the remaining fibre with a tooth pick this does not damage any of the fine roots also a long fine pair of tweezers. Finally give the plant another run under the tap of warm water.

I then place the plants in the tank for at least two weeks before I plant them, this gives the plant time to establish its self to the new water conditions. If they are small plants I place them in a breeding net BUT not under the light.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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