Trimming Plant Roots?

[Gramma]

This is probably a very silly question and the answer is probably NO. I have just pulled out my Cryptocoryne wendtii "green" in order to split it and it has very long roots. Can they be trimmed at all? If not I will have to put some more subtrate in the tank in order to cover them up. Or maybe I should have left well alone.

[Pamelajo]

I was told to trim the roots before replanting. So far it has worked for me.

[Gramma]

Thanks for your input. Any special way to do it?

[thegrandpoohbah]

I usually cut the ends of plant roots before replanting. Never had any problems as a result.

[Gramma]

If the roots are about 8" long, can I trim them to 4"?

[Pamelajo]

I just divides up some crypts with really long roots and cut them back to 2".

[Gramma]

Thanks so much Pam. I will do that. I was afraid of taking too much off as I have never done it before. I am also going to assume that the same thing can be done with Hygro and others.

[Soggybottom]

Sometimes if there are only a couple of roots but they are long, I tie them in a loose knot. I have moved the crypts months later and the roots are still in a knot with some new ones growing out. Kinda makes them easy to rearrange :smile:

[Melody]

I never would have thought of that!

[CACAdmin]

It's a neat idea and iIt wouldn't have occurred to me either. It would solve the problem of having all these stray roots escaping from the gravel after a transplanting.

[Soggybottom]

Yeah that bugs me too. You try to push them down with a finger and another one pops up :twitcy:

[Melody]

ROFL EXACTLY! :twitcy: