Wisteria and Pennywort as floating plants

The Game

Hey i was just wondering how would i use Wisteria and pennywort as floating plants? Im goin to get some on wednesday and im goin gto plant some in the substrate and use the rest as floating. Do I just leave the plant floating in the water or do i have to cut off a segment or something like that? I know that I can plant the Wisteria and allow it to grow to the surface and let it block off some light, even though the bottom leaves will drop off. What about pennywort? Will the same happen with it?

Byron

These are stem plants, and all stem plants behave much the same. With the cut ends rooted in the substrate, they will continue to grow; once they reach the surface, they will usually continue to grow along the surface, in which case the lower leaves frequently yellow and die. Regular pruning/trimming, which means pulling u[p the stem, cutting off the lower portion, and planted the top portion back in the substrate is how you keep them "uniform". Some stem plants need this every week due to very fast growth.

Sometimes a stem plant may grow above the surface rather than along it, depending upon the species. Pennywort and Wisteria will not normally do this, unless they are physically forced into it.

To have just floating plants, lay the stem on the surface and let it grow. Prune/cut it back same as previously mentioned to keep it in check, depending upon how much cover you want. I find Pennywort makes a superb floating plant. Wisteria is less effective.

Byron.

The Game

Ooh ok then. I'll plant the Wisteria into the substrate and maybe let it reach the surface. Depends how it is starting to look. I'll let some pennywort float and maybe plant the rest. Still planning. Do you know any other plants that wouldn't mind bright lights but don't need CO2? I'm trying to find floating plants but none of the shops sell any over here. Which is why I'm trying to use pennywort and Wisteria as floating plants to block off some of the lights.
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DanMarion

I couldn't find floating plants at local fish stores either. I found a local fish forum however, and one of the members there happened to have some water lettuce for sale. Maybe there is an aquarium club for your area also?

tanker

Do your shops not have Water Sprite, The Game? That's what I've got and it's covered my tanks like mad (I've got it planted, and floating).

The Game

Nah they've never heard of it... All I can get from them are lillies and Duckweed. Lillies get too big and Duckweed is a nuisance. Unlucky me...
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redchigh

I've used water Wisteria floating... It makes a beautiful rosette, similiar to water lettuce except variegated and under water.

Good shelter for fry.

You can cut the top inch off of your Wisteria, plant the bottoms, and float the tops.

The Game

Cools. Sorry I know this isn't really related to floating plants but how do you plant Java Moss into the substrate neatly? The guy at my lfs gave me a bunch for free but I'm not too sure about planting it on the substrate. I know how to plant it on the driftwood but I'm not really going for that look. Thanks in advance.
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SinCrisis

yo dont plant Java Moss into anything, It attaches to rocks, driftwood, etc. Just weight it down with something and it will eventually attach and grow along it. Ie, tie it to woor and it will attach and grow along the wood. Weight it down on gravel and it will attach to a bunch of pieces of gravel, but when you pull it up, it will take the gravel with it.

redchigh

If you have the time, then grow it through a mesh screen. Then you can weigh the screen down.

My favorite way is to just tie it to a flat rock.