Will this (unknown) plant root?

etanico

1. Tank size
5 gallons

2. Watts and type of lighting
10W, fluorescent aquarium lamp on for 6-7 hours.

3. Number and types of plants
Salesman did not tell me the type, but it looks a lot like Moneywort (see pics at bottom)

4. Substrate type
Gravel

5. Age of tank
One year, but was cleared out and re-cycled in November 2011.

6. CO2 injection
None

8. Detailed description of plant problems
It'll become very clear why I need help. Yesterday I purchased this plant (at Byron's recommendation) and tried to plant it, but it has no roots. The salesman told me that it would root in gravel. But I'm having such a hard time getting it to stay in there that I'm worried it won't root. Some float, and some have managed to stay in the gravel. If they're floating will they just die? Also: will the others be able to develop roots at all? It seems like they're cut too high to be able to develop any. Pictures below.

Floating, rootless plant:


Here's my "planting" of the plant, with one sticking up out of the gravel:


A bunch of floating plants:

Romad

I've had the same issue with those. Take some thread and tie it around the base of a clump of them (not too tight - just enough to keep them together). Plant them and then weigh everything down with a good size mound of gravel or a rock.

I've had good luck that way unless my barbs are in a particularly feisty mood and decide to uproot them for something to do.

etanico

Awesome, thanks!
Now do you usually do this during a water change? Or how do you plant them without taking the fish out?

Also: do you know if they can grow roots floating?

Romad

No need to take the fish out. Just do it when you have half of the tank empty during water changes.

I've never seen one root when floating but I don't give it much of a chance to float so I can't say for sure.

You'll need to use either a root tab fert or a liquid fert like Seachem Comprehensive weekly as well. Just be careful about dosing in a tank that small.

etanico

Is this NEEDED or just recommended?

How long did it take your roots to start growing?

Byron

Depends. Plants need 17 nutrients, all of which can occur naturally in the aquarium mainly from the fish food and biological processes ongoing. But stem plants are fast growing, meaning they need more nutrients and light than some other plants such as Anubias or Java Fern. So provided a supplemental fertilizer is usually a good idea.

In the case of stem pants, a liquid is best; plants uptake nutrients via roots and leaves, and some plants use the latter more than others. A complete liquid fertilizer is best. I suggest two: Seachem's Flourish comprehensive Supplement or Brightwell Aquatics' FlorinMulti. Once a week will likely be sufficient, and you use very little of either. For a 5g tank I would use 1/4 teaspoon once a week of the Flourish (this one I use).

Byron.