How do you keep your Microsword rooted?

[mmarino]

Hi -

I'm looking for some suggestions on how to establish foreground plants with small root systems. I've been having a heck of a time keeping my microsword from being dislodged and floating around. I blame my Cory's, though I haven't yet caught them in the act!

I started with a bunch of 2" patches and planted them around the tank, setting the roots with a pair of tweasers and sprinkling some substrate (EcoComplete) on top for added weight. After a few days of constantly replanting these little patches, I tried anchoring them with plastic toothpics - no luck. Within a day or so, everything was once again floating, in smaller and smaller pieces.

I then tried setting the now individual plants in some small mesh fiberglass window screen, which I buried under the substrate. Within a few hours, it was all floating again! I now have a nice bowl of 'Microsword salad'

Any ideas how to keep this on the bottom long enough to establish roots? Is my current crop salvageable - it's basically all individual plants at this point - or do I need to start again with larger pieces and a different strategy? Are there other foreground plants that are more easily established? HELP!

Thanks, Mike

[John N.]

Mike, I think taking out the cories for a week or two would be your best bet. If I remember correctly, microsword usually spreads pretty quickly and settles nicely in Eco Complete. I think the floating parts are salvageable. Try bunching them up together and planting in small thickets that are close together. That will help it grow evenly. Also, it may help to reduce the flow of your filter if water flow is causing things to get uprooted as well.

If all else fails, you can always try growing a bit in a separate tank and transplanting patches when the roots are longer and the plant is healthier.

-John N.

[Roy Deki]

You should separate the 2" bunches down to individual plantlets. That will solve your problem.