Bolbitis

[sixhunter]

Hi guys i know bolbitis is a rhizome plant, was wondering if able to take cuttings and root them (other than cutting segments of the rhizome with some roots) ?

[blue33]

They cannot be root into soil.

[sixhunter]

i know that they cannot be rooted in soil, what i meant was taking cuttings to root them (means cutting left floating in water will the cutting grow roots ?)

[blue33]

Yes, it can provided they have the lighting, ferts etc...

[Urban Aquaria]

Make sure there is a portion of rhizome is still attached with some leaves, so that the plant can draw stored resources from the rhizome to recover and grow... otherwise the chances of it melting away is much higher.

[sixhunter]

if only take a stem cutting without any part of the rhizome, will it still be able to grow new roots ?

[Urban Aquaria]

if only take a stem cutting without any part of the rhizome, will it still be able to grow new roots ?

Rhizome plants usually need their rhizome to be intact to grow, they draw all their stored resources from there. Their leaf is not a stem, it just an elongated leaf (unlike stem plants which can grow just from stem cuttings)... i guess you can try and just cut a leaf and float it in the tank, see what happens.

Wouldn't take long to see results though, the leaves will melt very quickly if they can't make it.

[blue33]

They can still grow given the right condition. Even Glosso can grow from just a leaf without the stem and root. Done that before.

[Urban Aquaria]

They can still grow given the right condition. Even Glosso can grow from just a leaf without the stem and root. Done that before.

Can rhizome plants like bolbitis grow from just the leaf without the rhizome? Have you managed to get them to grow this way?

Just curious because so far i've only ever propagated bolbitis by cutting sections of their rhizomes, would be interesting (and way easier) if its possible to propagate them just by cutting and floating the leaves on their own.

[sixhunter]

hehehe will try try abit no harm jus cutting one off haha

[aquanick]

I dont think bolbitis can be grown from a leaf like java ferns multiply..!

On a side note, the only plant that i have come across which is a true stem plant and also a true fern is hygrophilla pinnatifida.. grows well both on driftwood and when planted inside substrate like a stem..