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	Roots in middle of plant
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003	What does it generally mean when a stem plan grows roots inthe middle of the stem or is this normal and should they be cut. My Scapes
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004	The only plant of mine that I've seen do this is green hygro. I'm continually liking this plant less and less goes off to find a new mainstay in the tank. I'm pretty sure that it means it is not getting enough nutrients through it's roots in the substrate. I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean that there aren't enough nutrients in the water column though because all my other plants look great. I've also seen this plant grow horizontally at the surface of the water and drop roots down like a floating plant. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003	Matty, Well I recently planted some stargrass and it's starting to do this. I never supplemented any substrate ferts because I have 100% eco-complete. The good thing about the Hydro is that it grows so first you could cut all those down into a very full bush and within a week it will really be tall and full, but you have to enjoy trimming all the time. My Scapes
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45
illustrae Fish Addict Posts: 820 Kudos: 876 Registered: 04-May-2005	These roots along the stem are perfectly normal and most stem plants have them. They allow the plant to draw in more nutrients from the water column (which is where stem plants get the bulk of their nutrients). In any plant, roots are the "organ" from which nutrients are drawn into the plant, and since most stem plants do not rely on a "soil" for anything more than anchorage, the roots along the stem keep nutrients circulating to the taller parts of the plant. Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45
LITTLE_FISH *** Little Fish *** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005	I completely agree with illustrae. My Star Grass is doing the same (a lot), as do a few of my other plants. Ingo Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003	So I guess you are not trimming off these mid-stem roots My Scapes
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45
trystianity Mega Fish Posts: 1028 Kudos: 926 Votes: 49 Registered: 20-Mar-2004	They also help the plant get rooted if the stem is severed (like if you trim your plants). They're called "advantageous roots" if you want the correct term for them. They're totally normal with a lot of aquatic plants. I usually leave them on because I don't mind them too much and I'm too lazy to constantly trim them off. If you really despise them you can get rid of them, I say just pack more plants in your tank so you won't see them anyway. BTW, plants will form advantageous roots regardless of substrate. Last edited by trystianity at 07-Sep-2005 18:05
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004	You can cut them but they'll just grow back. Wouldn't bother unless you really hate them. Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue. Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004	hmm...I'm not a big fan of those advantagous roots. Guess I was wrong about the substrate thing, I thought I heard that somewhere. I never used to get them with the green hygro until a few months ago. I thought maybe they had sucked the substrate dry with all the growing that green hygro does. none of my other plants do that - but soon I'll be getting rid of the hygro anyways. Such a nuisance, that plant. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45
illustrae Fish Addict Posts: 820 Kudos: 876 Registered: 04-May-2005	I sometimes trim the water roots on some of my stem plants because if I don't not only do they look bad, but they tangle together and block light from reaching lower leaves. Yes, they will grow back, but if it's part of your normal tank maitenance, it won't dammage the plant too much. Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:45


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