Planting hairgrass

[jweis]

After messing up my tank digging a hole to plant a pot of hairgrass, Franny suggested I plant it one strand at a time with tweezers. There is no way I have that kind of patience. So, I came up with a new way using plastic needlepoint grid, lead strips, and a needle and thread. It worked well and it looks nicely spaced in the tank.

[FrannyB]

You could bunch 3-4 at a time. Let us see your final result.

[jweis]

You could bunch 3-4 at a time. Let us see your final result.

I put 10-15 stands of grass in each hole. I cut the plastic so the hole are bigger. Then I sewed through the each root ball to ensure it doesn't float away. The lead weight strips give it the weight needed to keep the plastic and plants from floating.

Once the water clears up I will take a picture. I am still struggling to get it clear.

[Cristy Keister]

You had the patience to do all that cutting, sewing, and threading the plants through, but you didn't have the patience to plant them in the dirt? LOL!

[Judi]

You had the patience to do all that cutting, sewing, and threading the plants through, but you didn't have the patience to plant them in the dirt? LOL!

That's what I was thinking! Maybe I'm not picturing it correctly, but that actually sounds like a lot more work to me.

Planting a few at a time is tedious at first, but I found it does get easier after awhile, and I get faster at it. That method does allow it spread rather quickly, too.

Anyway, let us know how your method works!

[jweis]

I can never get the small plants to take hold. Maybe it is because of my shrimp and snails. I need something to anchor them. I also like having them tied to something so I can move them a bit to find just the right spot.

It didn't take me that long. About 15 minutes. I don't think anyone is going to critique my stiches so I didn't care if they were messy.

[150EH]

I've heard they seem to spread and grow quicker when separated, it could be a myth. I got a 3x5 inch mat once and cut into 15 - 1 inch squares and it seemed to do well after some root fertilizers and a month or so to get established as it yellowed to look almost dead and then sprouted new growth, my problem was Cichlids pulling it out of the substrate but otherwise a nice plant.

[FrannyB]

Planting three at a time, an inch apart, towards yourself, is an easy method. The trick is to separate them into the strands first, lay them out and not look at how many there are to do. It also helps if you do it at a time no one will bother you for anything. Interuptions and having a deadline will add to your frustration.

[jweis]

Planting three at a time, an inch apart, towards yourself, is an easy method. The trick is to separate them into the strands first, lay them out and not look at how many there are to do. It also helps if you do it at a time no one will bother you for anything. Interuptions and having a deadline will add to your frustration.

My life is full of interuptions and deadlines. I don't think I will have any free time for another 10 years. The water is clearing up (finally) so I should be able to take a picture tomorrow. I think it looks nice.

[DonkeyFish]

I can never get the small plants to take hold. Maybe it is because of my shrimp and snails. I need something to anchor them. I also like having them tied to something so I can move them a bit to find just the right spot.

Plant deep. I'm wondering if you just aren't getting your roots deep enough in substrate for them to hold????