Cascading Plants?

[Melody]

I need to use pots because my substrate doesn't suit a lot of plants. I don't like the look of them though - it doesn't go with my natural jungle theme :laugh: . I can plant in front of the pots in the back, but I need something for the pots closer to the front.

I am wondering if there are plants that I could use for a hanging basket effect. Something that trails down over the sides of the pots. I would love to use Java Moss but I don't know if I could get it to stay in the pot around the edges and not grow into the pot itself without constant maintenance. Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[tiff]

What about something like riccia or another carpeting plant, but that all depends on the amt. of light you have in the tank. I think ??!! :confused:
The java moss would be cool to grow on to a clay pot and just let it flurish but plant a taller plant in the pot as well for the hanging basket kind of look.

[Melody]

Anything too tedious to accomplish, won't get done. I'm horrible for that. I make really really impressive plans though :rolleyes: . Granted, you can buy Riccia in decent-size matts now so it wouldn't be so hard. Good thinking!

Maybe Java Moss will work if I hide a ring of plastic or something in the pot and have the Java Moss between the plastic and the pot side. They're all unglazed clay so at least I have that going for me. Whatever is in the middle of the pot will be on the short side since this is for the front half of the tank, but if it's dense and say... 4" or so tall it should look ok?

I figure I can hide some of them with rock plants... like the little Anubias varieties & low-growing ferns or something... I think Java Fern 'Narrow' remains pretty low & compact... nice & bushy to hide stuff too.

Maybe I could just wrap the outside of the pot with sideways stem plants and tie fishing line around it to keep them in place.

:laugh: @ Mr. GP cringing like I just ran my fingernails down a chalkboard.:laugh:

[thegrandpoohbah]

Actually, that's not a half bad idea. Java moss wrapped around the sides of the pots and tied with thread or some mesh would look pretty neat.

[Melody]

I figured those big long stems of hornwort and Egeria would wrap around nicely, but now that you mention it, Java Moss might be more suitable::D: .

[CACAdmin]

And for pots that you aren't successful getting plants to grow attached to, you can always try coating with gravel (more natural look than a clay pot)

[Melody]

Your caves inspired that way of thinking and I've done that with plastic pots with the kid for a craft when he was younger, but getting around to it is another story entirely. I have some that are already in the tank, but maybe I'll give that a whirl with the ones I have yet to plant. Where do you get your silicone?

I wish I could glaze them all in a nice mottled, dark green or something. I suppose I should just bite the bullet and put a bunch of plant substrate in there, but too much at once is going to make a mess so I'd have to drain the tank. It's ridiculously expensive too. I'd need it quite deep and it would take a lot for a 90. One of these days I'll do the 90 & the 33, but not anytime soon. It's not worth it when I'm really not into plants all that much.

[CACAdmin]

I get the GE Silicone I for Windows and Doors at Home Depot. As for gravel, a small bag would do you to cover for a lot of pots. (:Think:I'm pretty sure they sell green.) I only have blue or white to spare but that doesn't go with the natural look you're trying to create.

[tiff]

I'd be even more lazy then aquarium gravel....there's a large sandbox in the backyard that would suit me fine, especially for the natual look. :Neener: Sorry son, mommy needs to play in the sand too and No, I don't think the fishies would like to play trucks..LOL. (I have caught the odd dump truck at the bottom of the tank.)
You could try a little of both worlds. Gravel/Sand half way with a little java moss round the rim, then just angle the substrate up and round the pot so that up have a little shole affect going on.

[Melody]

Ooooo I like that idea.... I could even use aragonite sand & kill two birds with one stone.

Somebody go do that, I'll wait here. Then you can charge me some outrageous amount for it and I'll smile like an idiot while I hand it over, convinced that I'm somehow ahead of the game. :rolleyes: :laugh: