tying the rhizome of anubias/java fern to driftwood/lava rock?

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mr.bigglesworth

Feeder Fish
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Jan 22, 2012
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By SF, Farther Inland, NorCal
I have watched a dozen how-to videos and i still cant figure it out. I am bewildered as to how it works? Sounds simple but I dont think im doing it right. The part im having trouble with is the 'rooting' to the ornament. My anubias has been on the driftwood for 3 months and its still not rooted... How long should it take for both anubias and java fern to 'root' to an ornament? I hate having unsightly rubber bands in the tank and the cotton thread doesnt work. Any Ideas?

How long should it take for java fern to root to driftwood?
 
Anubias grow extremely slow so it can take 6 months or more for them to properly adhere to rock/wood. I use a small bit of fishing line to attach my Anubias. It's durable and basically invisible, unless you're looking for it.
 
Followin this, my Java is on its way tomorrow. Plan on ziptying them to the driftwood. Bad idea?
 
we4wieners said:
Followin this, my Java is on its way tomorrow. Plan on ziptying them to the driftwood. Bad idea?
Click to expand...
Depends how tight you tie it and the shape of the wood. As long as its not choking the plant or anything you should be good. A good idea is to lightly wriggle the fern back and forth and if its stuck its too tight. You want a little bit of flexibility but not so much that the roots move around and it cant root on. My java fern also sinks but my anubias floats. Anbubias is SO much harder to root for me because i cant get it to stay for longer than a few weeks. Java fern sinks like a rock for me.
 
3 months and still not rooted? That is strange. Just tie it on there not too tight. I try to just tie the roots on. As the anubias grows new roots those are the ones that will firmly attach itself to the driftwood. After you tie it... Don't touch it. Leave it alone and it will do it's thing. I like to use cotton thread or fishing line because it is less visible. Either way I don't bother to untie it. It usually takes me a loooong time to actually get in there and take out the fishing line if I decide to use that. Cotton thread will degrade on it's own and I don't have to untie it which is why I now prefer cotton thread (preferably green colored).
 
Make sure the roots are in contact with the wood, I use a zip tie, and use a little sandpaper to rough up the area I want the plant to adhere to.
015-1-1.jpg

Anubis does grow very slowly though, with the right kind of light, and a bit of proper fertilizer can jump start them. I use a cap full of either Flora-Pride or Fluorish per week and it grows a bit faster.
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took about a week for the new leaf to appear on this plant, it is maybe 15" tall.
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