How to place plants inside soil properly?

[dc20]

Hi, I recently bought some soil and plants for my tank. However, when I try to put the plant stems into the soil, it will still float up. Even when I use soil and compress the stem down, it will still somehow float up.

Should the plants be placed in the tank when the tank water is full or semi full so that it'll be easier?

Thanks for the advise.

[wongce]

It will be a lot easier to plant during initial stage with half full water.

How deep is your soil? Deeper soil will be easier to plant...For my case, i have around 1-1.5 inch soil...

Using a pair of tweezers will really help a lot in accurate bombing..eh planting...lol,grab your plant's root/end using tweezer and push it down into the soil and shake a bit so displaced soil will cover the root/end of plant.

[felix_fx2]

Need to have the soil holding the stem/leaf. You can use simple tweezers to help plant them.

If you are not sure, you can check the stickies or YouTube. There are a couple of videos that are annotated with instructions.

[dc20]

My soil is about 1 inch. I tried using tweezers but when I get to of the tweezers to release the stem, the soild around it will also be pushed out hence the stem won't be secure. I've tried using my other hand to cover up the stem after I've release the tweezers. The stem stays in but it seems damn loose.

Maybe I'll try half water full and see if it works better

[Shadow]

what stem plant you try to plant? IMO 1inch is too shallow for stem plant. Also sharper tip tweezers help

[dc20]

what stem plant you try to plant? IMO 1inch is too shallow for stem plant. Also sharper tip tweezers help

I don't know the name of the plant. I just bought it from the shop. Those kind that cost $1. Ok if this doesn't work then maybe won't get stem plants anymore. Haha

[felix_fx2]

1 inch not enough for stem plant grow root and very hard to plant.

You can try to slot the stem 45 degrees in. Maybe will help.

[dc20]

Hmm ok will try that method as well. Thanks

[wongce]

Correction,my soil is 2-2.5 inch...lol

Btw,what soil are you using? Its harder to plant in bigger grain compared to tiny grain..

[qngwn]

2 to 2.5 inch shouldnt be a problem at all. it is more than sufficient. plant it in while holding onto the end of the plant (with a tweezer), plant it into the soil 45deg from the horizontal, and pull it out 45deg so that the weight above will make it retain it's position.

[felix_fx2]

2 to 2.5 inch shouldnt be a problem at all. it is more than sufficient. plant it in while holding onto the end of the plant (with a tweezer), plant it into the soil 45deg from the horizontal, and pull it out 45deg so that the weight above will make it retain it's position.

Not Wongce. TS is dc20

[ralliart12]

...with half full water...

Qn1: Will a water-level of just slightly-peeking above the substrate be even better?

Qn2: when we pull down the stem plants (into the soil), should we pull it all the way down until the end hits the tank bottom?

Qn3: should we trim the stem plants (to a certain height) before planting them?

[qngwn]

Qn1: Will a water-level of just slightly-peeking above the substrate be even better?
Water level just above the substrate will be good if you're planting foreground plants. For stemmed plants, it will be better to have half full, else the whole plant would lay smack flat on the substrate, harder to plant.

Qn2: when we pull down the stem plants (into the soil), should we pull it all the way down until the end hits the tank bottom?
Not necessary, as long as it is deep enough, and that it does not float up. Make sure there is a little green part left for the plant to "breathe".

Qn3: should we trim the stem plants (to a certain height) before planting them?
That would not be necessary. but if it help you to plant it easier, then go ahead to do so.

Just my opinions, beginner here..