hidden roots of the monte carlo method

[mr_crist]

Hi,

Ignore the algae in the photo, I'm still getting the hang of this 6-week-old tank.

The substrate was too high at the front, so I decided to lower it by digging 2cm along the edge. This did uproot some Monte Carlo and exposed the roots of others, as you can see. I replanted a few and tried pushing the exposed roots into the substrate, but it was tough and often caused the MC to pop out.

If I leave these roots exposed, will they naturally pull the plant into the substrate or will they just stay like this? I can keep trying to push them down, but it's a lot of work. I'm curious to know if it's worth the effort or if the plants will sort themselves out.

They're planted in a sand/gravel cap over aqua soil.

Thanks

[LenderBender]

I'm not aware that the roots will ever pull the plant down into the substrate - they tend to stay exposed like that and if anything, they just keep growing and pushing upwards over time.

[mr_crist]

I've been trying to gently push the roots down, but it's a bit of a losing battle - every time I manage to get one settled, the one next to it decides to pop up instead. I think I'll just let things be for now and see how it all settles in on its own.

[LenderBender]

You could try making small mounds around each plant to cover the exposed roots, then occasionally, when doing maintenance, gently coax them back down. With time, they might settle in and behave as you'd like.