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the picture doesn't show much, sorry, but I couldn't get the shot any clearer & I don't want to open the plastic bag until I'm ready to plant it, so that any humidity doesn't escape.

Hemianthus Callitrichoides

This little ball of HC has me stumped. How do you plant it? It just seems like a rolled up bag of green. Through the plastic, I can't see any root system.

Help, what do I do with it

Cheers
TW

Robyn does it look like this. The bottom should have roots. You need to break it apart and plant small groupings, the smaller the better. Some actually plant individual stems. I woul say 4 or 5 stems together is good.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2603379810048205226FGVYpq

My Scapes

yes, that looks like it. Problem is, the plant has arrived before the new tank is ready. New tank will be set up sometime this coming weekend.

I have some of those little terracotta pots. Can I put a stone in the bottom to block it, put in a little AS & then plant HC there in. Then place pot & HC into my current 43G. Given that I will be having to transplant it again shortly, what is minimum amount of separation I need to do, to make sure it doesn't die. I know I am a bit of a broken record, but this stuff is rare here. This 2cm diamater patch costs $25, so don't want to kill it, but annoyed that my timing is out & it needs to be planted twice.

What would the best plan be?

Cheers
TW

I have never had HC before but if it was me. I would try and float it in a plastic cup of some sort in the tank.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Thanks wings, I'd have to weigh the plastic cup down, so it doesn't float & also prevent the HC itself from floating out of the cup.

I'm opening up one of my recently closed down tanks, as I just have no room to store all my new plants in the current set ups.

Do I need to run a heater in the plant holding tank? There will be no fish in there?

Cheers
TW

Robyn,

How long are we talking about? I would personally split it in half and plant some in any tank preferably an aquasoil-based one with good light and the other half as Wings said. This way if it starts to go south you'll have some. You don't need much to get a full carpet. I started my 46g with 3" x 3" and I can't control it's growth now. Don't go by Ingo's tank where Bob dominates the canopy.

My Scapes

I have planted 2 separate 2 x 2cm patches in a terracotta pot of AS & put it in the 43G.

I also purchased from another source a much larger patch (much better value). That one I spread over two smnall containers, sealed with a ladies hair net & put it in another tank.

I could take it back out & put some AS in the container - would that be better.

We are talking of a wait of approx 7 business days.

Cheers
TW

Don't go by Ingo's tank where Bob dominates the canopy.

LOL,

I think tetratech's idea of splitting them is excellent. If a tank does not have to much current that would tumble the HC throughout the water column then floating it is working very well, it likes the light. But - beware of the plant eating fishies, if applicable.

Having it in some soil, given that it would not be shaded, is good too.

And tetratech -> nice - ehm - cavern

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

And tetratech -> nice - ehm - cavern

Can you elaborate. I only had 4 hrs sleep last night.

My Scapes

thanks guys for the tips. This HC stuff is even smaller per plant than glosso. I'm not really looking forward to planting it, when I do.

Ingo, there's no fish in the holding tank. It's my old 23G (where the baby kribs were born & bred), which has been shut down a couple of weeks now. Started it up last night, specially as a plant holding tank.

Haven't heard much from you lately. Hope your work settles down soon.

And yes, please elaborate on the cavern

Cheers
TW

hey TW,
did you get your HC off of eBay???
Also, how much was your aquasoil?

Hey desiredusername

2 lots of HC came from that ebay seller I recommended via the PM I sent you. I got another 2 lots via a classified add on another forum.

I'll look up my order sheet for the ADA Aquasoil and get back to you, but it was quite expensive. It's great for planted tanks & for fish that like acidic conditions - it really lowers the pH.

Cheers
TW