Everything went wrong in my 1st attempt at planting

[octopus]

I messed up my maiden planting project. Please advise if i have missed out on anything or using the wrong substrate. I tried planting foreground plants (APP) but have problem burrying the roots under the substrate. Although the plants did not float the roots started coming out of the substrate after filling the tank with water. Another foreground plant that was in a wire mesh also could not be burried completely. The wire mesh bowed. The middle of the wire mesh has no contact with the substrate.
The substrate currently in use is the new concept soil.

[benjaminong88]

did you plant using correct techniques? tweezers grip roots and push it at an angle into soil.

how i do it is wet the soil first then plant easier. And since APP is small, try to use tweezers with extremely sharp points.

[octopus]

did you plant using correct techniques? tweezers grip roots and push it at an angle into soil.

how i do it is wet the soil first then plant easier. And since APP is small, try to use tweezers with extremely sharp points.

Right technique but maybe wrong tools. Yes i had problem gripping the roots with my tweezers and also the plant tend to get entangled with roots during planting. Since you had no problem, will try your method by using a sharper tweezer with a wet substrate. Thanks for the sharing

[benjaminong88]

Can go guardians and buy the cheap stainless steel small surgical tweezers =) its very very sharp. but if your tank is v deep then will be a bit hard to use. Personally I got no money to buy the long sharp one =( poor uni student.

[felix_fx2]

In my 1st planting session, i had some water which was around 1-2 cm tall.
i found it much easier to have a very light shake so the substrate buries the root better then just holding the roots and sticking it directly. (of course hold the roots as mentioned)
If roots get entangled, shake them in water holding the leaves. If you cut them right they should come up in a nice T shape manner.

Guardian sells for 2-4 dollars can't remember. i think the current one i bought is less then 12 dollars from NA and so much easier since its for a 3 X1.5 x 1.5 tank.

How come the mesh bowed? you tied it yourself?

[octopus]

Thanks guys for the guardian tip off. I certainly can use the savings. If my understanding is right, bro Felix are you suggesting that I need to trim the roots prior to planting?. As for the bowed mesh, it was bought off the shelf from C328.

[felix_fx2]

I mean the runner part not the roots. try finding the fourm for pictures. i know someone posted before. If not APP abit hard to plant if their all stuck (like TTTTTT) how to plant. haha

[benjaminong88]

good tip bro felix.

sad sad my own lawn of hairgrass just got torn apart by my stupid barb

[felix_fx2]

i am trying out hairgrass as well.
How come you put bard in there? I only have algae crew in the tank now.