Inland
Aquatic's Guide to Freshwater Planting
Rooted Plants:
(Cryptocorynes, "Grasses", Swordplants,)
1) With a razor blade or sharp scissors, remove all dying leaves and damaged
roots. Erratic root growth should also be removed.
2) Hold the crown of the plant (where the roots meet the leaves) between two fingers, such
that your fingers protect the roots as you push through the gravel.
3) Locate the position where you wish to place the plant.
4) Start a root's length away from the desired position, push your fingers into the
substrate and toward the spot you have chosen.
5) Once the plant is in place, use unoccupied fingers to push gravel into the trough you
created, covering the roots.
6) Make the roots are buried, but little or none of the leaf stems are covered.
7) Once an entire area is planted, bury Substrate Gold Nuggets near the roots. *
The basic idea is to bed the entire root clump as your hand pushes through the gravel,
protecting the roots from damage. As you plant each area of the tank, keep in mind the
path you will have to utilize to plant each plant. Some strategy may be required.
Plant
Bulbs:
(Aponogetons, "Onions", Dwarf Lily, Other "Lilies")
1) Check bulb for any soft spots. Bulbs with soft spots should be discarded.
2) With a razor blade or sharp scissors, remove all dying leaves and damaged roots.
Erratic root growth should also be removed.
3) Gently push bulb into gravel until there is about l/4" of bulb remaining above the
substrate.
4) Once the entire area is planted, bury Substrate Gold Nuggets near the roots. *
Bunch Plants:
(Anacharis, Bacopa, Cabomba, D.diandre, Hygro sp., Rotala sp., etc)
1. Remove all rubber bands, lead weights and other binding materials.
2. With a razor blade or sharp scissors, remove all dying leaves and branches.
3 . Remove 3/4 - I inch of HEALTHY growth from each stem.
4. Remove 3/4 - 1 inch of leaves from the nodes above the cut you just made.
5) Locate the position where you wish to place the plant.
6) With a sweeping motion, push your fingers into the substrate and toward the spot you
have chosen. You will need to push deeper than is necessary with rooted plants.
7) Once the plant is in place, use unoccupied fingers to secure the plant with gravel.
Plants with Rhizomes:
(Anubius, Spatterdocks)
1) With a razor blade or sharp scissors, remove all dying leaves and damaged
roots. Erratic root growth should also be removed. Do not remove any rhizome (fat root),
unless tissue is soft.
2) Hold the crown of the plant (where the roots meet the leaves) between two fingers, such
that your fingers protect the roots as you push through the gravel.
3) Locate the position where you wish to place the plant.
4) Start a root's length away from the desired position, push your fingers into the
substrate and toward the spot you have chosen. Note: Plants with larger rhizomes are often
easier to "roll" into the gravel.
5) Once the plant is in place, use unoccupied fingers to secure the plant with gravel.
6) Pull the plant back out of the gravel to in sure that VERY LITTLE of the Rhizome is
buried
7) Once the entire area is planted, bury Substrate Gold Nuggets near the roots. *
Potted Plants:
(May be any of the above)
Potted plants may be buried:.with the plastic pot and rock wool intact, as purchased, or
with the pot removed. The rock wool is treated with iron rich fertilizer and may have some
short term benefit to the plant. The rock wool can also be removed. Often times, this
allows a potted plant to be separated into several plantings. If the rock wool is removed,
follow the appropriate planting direction set (above).
* Substrate Gold Nuggets need not be used if Substrate Gold was used under the gravel.
Natural Gold (liquid) can also boost plant growth, when added weekly. The Natural Gold
Iron Test Kit can be used to insure iron levels are properly maintained.
PLANT SUPPLIES
Substrate Gold - 24 oz: 9.99 - 176 oz: 59.99
Substrate Gold Nuggets (12 Balls) - 5.99
Substrate Gold Iron Test Kit (30 Tests) 25.99
Natural Gold - 125 ml: 4.99 - 500 ml: 9 99 - 1000 ml: 17.99
|
CHANGING THE WAY 
