A few questions about planting.

[NC AL]

I am anticipating setting up and planting a new tank in two weeks. This will be my second planted tank, but the first is only around a 6gallon display. I am still learning with most coming from internet searches and videos.

1) Referring to stem plants, when I watch videos of tank plantings the plants are always small. Just a few inches. The plants that have been shipped to me, or I see in stores, are always larger close to full grown. I know some are using tissue cultures but event those who are not the plants seem very small. The plants that are shipped to me, should I cut them down first before planting? My plan includes possibly Rotala Florida, Rotala wallichii, Rotala OJ, Rotala Macandra green/pink. I will most likely be ordering from Buceplant.

2) I have some Hygrophila Corymbosa compact that I really like. I want to plant them in the new tank. To do this, should these be trimmed down, trim some of the longer roots, or just plant as is? I am finding different advice online. Opinions welcomed.

 

[JayP]

@Naturescapes_Rocco had a good response for planting stems in another post. His method may be a little more meticulous and precise than mine, but pretty similar. I don't cut the stems quite as short and I leave a few more leaves but otherwise, the same process.

Trimming AR Mini and other plants in general

 

[CincyScaper]

1) Stem plants - Most of the stem plants that are not in-vitro that are bought commercially (eg: from Buce plant) will be emersed growth. When one plants this underwater, the new growth from the stems would be the underwater form. But, the prior emersed growth will decay off and might attract algae as well. The best strategy for such emersed growths is to cut them into smaller portions, remove all but few leaves and plant them. This is a win-win situation since one will get more plants out of each stem and one would have less decaying leaves. Josh sim has a 2 part video on this - . Note: this might not applicable to some plants. If for some reason you get the underwater form (some plants such as Blyxa do not have an emersed form - they will still go through a transition phase to adapt to your water conditions).

the 2hr website also has good resources as usual - How to grow stem plants

2) Hygrophila Corymbosa compact - i do not have experience with this plant, but i am sure others will chime in. In general if your water parameters are identical, and you like the form that the plant is in, i would just replant the whole plant as it is. One might still need to trim off some of the roots to aid planting. But if your new tanks parameters are different, such as lighting, Co2, nutrition etc., then it would be best to remove all but few leaves before planting.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

@Naturescapes_Rocco had a good response for planting stems in another post. His method may be a little more meticulous and precise than mine, but pretty similar. I don't cut the stems quite as short and I leave a few more leaves but otherwise, the same process.

Trimming AR Mini and other plants in general

@NC AL This is how it works best with many/most aquarium plants! Particularly stem plants.

 

[Koan]

I will most likely be ordering from Buceplant.

FWIW I just recently had a bad plant experience from Buce recommend consider APF, Daku, or Cuboid, for whatever BurrAqua doesn't have

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I agree with Koan, Buce is a pricey and overrated seller.

APF, Joe (BurrAqua) are my go-to. 90% of plants I've purchased in the last few years have come from either of them.

 

[JayP]

Definitely look over BurrAqua's plant list first. Not only are you getting healthy plants, but they're submerged grown so no dealing with emersed to submerged transition. Joe will do you right.

 

[CincyScaper]

Yes same as others I have had better experience with APF especially with TC plants. Burr Aquas plants are the best option if he has what you want and comes with great packing. My tank conditions are quite different from Joes and when I did get plants from him they did go through an expected transition period, especially the slow growers.

 

[BranchScape]

I have tons of rotala OJ. I was going to trim it back heavily and can give you the top 3 inches or so. Granted I am pretty far from you. Under the sea has all those stems in their CO2 hello fresh tank. I would go there and buy cuttings over online ordering. Just call ahead. Hobbyists and local are always best as you get immersed growth. But I like Buce plant, they ship fast, have customer service, huge selection and send a ton more plant mass than the other places (except buce). For me after Dallas I think top is ADA jungle plants, then ADA tissue cultures, then buce, dustin's and then Daku. Did not like APF at all, plant mass was beyond tiny. Will definitely order from Burr when I can.

 

[NC AL]

Thank you all for the info and recommendations. I ordered from Dustins with my first order and was very please. The selection is just so limited. If he has close to what I need, I will likely order again from him. Buce just seems to have the largest selection. I originally looked at BurrAqua, but they didn't have enough of what i needed. I will look at all of these again when I sit down to do the final ordering.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Buceplant does have a decent selection but their sold out list is usually much greater than their “in stock.” To be fair, any issue I’ve ever had with them, I’ve been refunded for dead plants. I do not advise purchasing from them in warmer weather, because that ice pack they provide is next to useless and you have to pay for it. Shipping speed is pretty speedy from west to east coast though.

APF definitely has the most variety so I would look there. The only issue I have with them is sometimes mislabeling plants, and their description of how many stems you’re receiving. It’s definitely a company focused on profit and not plant enthusiasts, my interaction with customer service proved that.

 

[JayP]

To be fair, any issue I’ve ever had with them, I’ve been refunded for dead plants.

This has been my experience as well. Customer service has been excellent a couple times when I had an issue, no questions asked. While shipping is high, I don't think their base prices are terrible compared to other large plant sellers. Also they do have a rewards program that helps offset the shipping cost if your order regularly. I've purchased other items like UNS aquariums and hardware from them. In fact, I'm pretty sure the same person or people, own both UNS and Buceplant.

I've never ordered from APF because I'd read so many bad reviews online. Perhaps the issue with all these larger suppliers is just poor consistency. I've also ordered from Aqua Forest Aquarium and been very happy with the plants , but talk about high prices and shipping! I think part of the high cost is due to them being the one "official" ADA dealer in the U.S.