How Do I Handle New Plants? Master Aquatic Horticulturalist Gives His Tips and Secrets!

[@mercuryION]

Genuinely one of the best videos I've seen on plant conversion. Thank you

[@BentleyPascoe]

Thank you so much for watching

[@willparsons32]

Wow, this video is a definite "watch n learn" I used to always think that as soon as I get my plants - especially those with no roots, burried into the substrate is critical. Alot of shops and online retailers that sell aquatic plants dont tell their customers what they need to do with plants in plastic pots or weighted ties. Figuring that they're just added to keep the plants together in a somewhat tidy bundle, we just bury the plant(s) into the substrate and 9x outta 10, forget about them. Without Bentley, Most wouldn't know any better!! Knowing NOW what I wish I knew 6 months ago, my plants like the mermaid weed and orange juice would most likely be out growing the tank by now - in great health.

[@janelle7008]

Thank you for explaining everything with such simplicity! Being new to the hobby, it’s nice to have someone give direction instead of saying “there’s no one right way to do it!”

[@bradfowler4488]

Would like to see a video from you on how to treat plants for pest snails and eggs.

[@DarthLander]

Thank you for all your help you've been great On the first handle your plants when they come in

[@boebender]

You are truly a master aquatic aquarium horticulturist. I always learn so much. I’m about to start my first “hi-tech” tank after a major fish addiction in the 1990s and early 2000s. I’ve been watching your channel and many others and I really appreciate your detail and wide range of knowledge and experience. Thanks!!

[@aquariumplantman]

Hey Bentley, always greatly appreciated any aquatic plant content you put out mate. 🌱

[@BentleyPascoe]

Thanks Pete!

[@johnnybest6386]

Just orderd some bronze crypt and i loved ur content of plants

[@patricklaundra3286]

love your videos Bentley. I've learned so much from you .. Awesome !!

[@BentleyPascoe]

Thanks Patrick!

[@kyleclelan2524]

Great video. Thanks for the tip about floating stem plants to let new roots grow that are adjusted to your water. I have always wondered why I have only had about 50% success with stem plants in general despite good lighting and plenty of nutrients, and it's because I have been planting them in immediately probably (and also bunched together)! Much appreciated.

[@psychedtraveler6611]

I always end up on your videos when looking for information. Thanks for the help.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Thanks for watching!

[@dustinstotler7337]

I liked the video I got a mystery clipping of some kind I just put it in my outdoor pond have not seen roots yet

[@Aliktren]

Hope your good lady is OK, great video 👍

[@BentleyPascoe]

She's doing better!

[@Myname2663-w2z]

Thanks for sharing your process

[@maggieyu6023]

You rock dude. I was just in Seattle visited everyone of your haunts and more. Have a bucket of plants to acclimate!

[@BentleyPascoe]

I hope you saw Aquaria and Aquarium Zen, those shops are super fun to just oh and ah at the tanks

[@newmexicoaquatics282]

Loved it.... twice. Thanks for sharing! - Little Bobby

[@carolyng40]

Hi Bentley, Hi from the UK. Thanks for this really simple but informative video. I am a beginner with plants but have kept some of the more common rainbows for years which is how I found your channel and why I have only just found this video. I thought I would take a look on KZbin to see what info I could pick up about rainbow fish species and which to keep. I am so enjoying watching your videos and picking up tips. Your big rainbow tank just looks amazing. Carolyn

[@ShepsAquatics]

Great video. I do it very similar I even go to the steps of with stems I put stems in old pots with rock wool and dose the wool with ferts and leave it in for a week and see roots growing really well even with out Co2. Love watching your videos and they have helped me a lot with my plants and I’m going to be setting up a tank or 2 just for growing plants. Thanks again for the great video. From Australia

[@cindymongosa4364]

Thank you for the advice on the fluval 3.0.took it to heart on the blue setting and algae.

[@fishyplantman5254]

Maybe I should have watched this a few days ago before planting.

[@olivezelm5897]

Man do I wish this video was around last December when I started my first planted tank! As always, thanks for the tips!

[@beaglegod1]

What a great video. I wish I had seen this months ago before starting my first planted tank. This could have been a game changer. I have one question, what about clippings from my own plants that grow to the top of the water? Do I let those clippings float until I see roots begin to develop?

[@canelami1285]

Wish i had this video before, but i just had more plants come in the mail yesterday so will do this. Thank you! Btw, lots of videos on youtube but not all are trustworthy

[@FishEZ]

Congrats on your flamingos!

[@vampgaia]

Good to know. I'll use your method next time.

[@SlickNick3]

Thank you so much for your knowledge! I am new to planted tanks and recently planted a bunch of Ludwigia only to have a majority of the stems rot! Lesson learned 😬

[@jeffreyboster6899]

Great Info. Thanks! :-)

[@dakotabrowning5286]

Great vibes and outstanding content! Thank you sir

[@kathrinabognar1815]

Thanks Bentley, another great episode!

[@ejfishes7610]

Hey Bentley, I’m not sure how I missed this one but glad I saw it today! Very helpful tips & I’ll have to try the tip on the stems next time.

[@evanbaker6375]

Great info. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@raventhomas3998]

thanks for such helpful information.

[@Handygrrl]

Very informative! Wish I had seen this B4 I lost so many creeping Jenny and other plants

[@savannahbrewer6161]

yes please make a detailed potassium permanganate video or link to a trusted colleague's video.

[@martinsfishroom5947]

Thanks B! Good tip!

[@yiacrazy]

Awesome. Small control on delicate plants... Need more info.

[@cashputnam6831]

Great little informative video

[@ryan-xr1st]

I've heard some people say they let stem plants float at the water surface for a period of time so that it has access to higher amounts of co2 and light to grow roots faster

[@BentleyPascoe]

Yes, but this can also cause new growth to be only partially converted, but it's a easy and simple middle ground way to do it!

[@Guppy_Girl]

Can you make a video on how to fight anubias rot. I’ve seen two types mentioned where the rhizome turns yellow and another type, one I’m dealing with now, where there are brown raised patches of rot all over the plant.

[@BentleyPascoe]

The problem is there's no definitive answer on how to prevent or treat anubias rot. We just don't know. Now. There's some things that I've seen and experience that can cause problems in anubius and we can talk about those. But as far as being absolutely like, here's how you fix the problem. It just doesn't exist right now.

[@ELflowing]

I almost ordered the pink flamingo last week. But I have to tell myself hold back on it until I rescape the crypt tank in a few months. Hopefully there’s some left.

[@dakuaquatics]

Hey Bentley, another question if you don't mind - in the Aquarist podcast you say you prefer to use 50/50 Fluval Stratum to Eco-Complete. I decided to do that in my new tank as well, but i am unsure if you pre-mix it, put 1 on top of the other, etc. Could you run me through your process real quick? Also, do you rinse before adding? THANK YOU!

[@BentleyPascoe]

You can do either, if you layer it, eco-complete on top. I like this for fine root plants or bigger crypt gardens. Mixing is fine for lots of stems

[@dakuaquatics]

@@BentleyPascoe you're the man! I did a test run last night in a 5 gallon and mixed. I didn't rinse beforehand and it was pretty cloudy but it got better overnight. Do you rinse or nah?

[@susanpays]

Thank you. I was surprised that you didn't mention quarantining or using some "washing solution" to protect yourself against things like BB algae or snails. Seems like there's almost always BB algae on plants around here.

[@BentleyPascoe]

For the most part, I personally am not that worried about snails nor black beard algae. The way I keep my tanks they're usually not an issue so that's a personal choice.

[@patricklaundra3286]

Hey Bentley, what's the deal with root feeding plants coming in as clippings with no roots? I bought some corkscrew val. and some dwarf sagitaria that came that way. I plan to just let them acclimate and sprout roots before I plant them but it seems kina weird. Is it just because submersed plants will sprout that way & the farm still has the original plants to sell more clipings from? Anyway. Is there a particular way that works well for starting this type of clippings?

[@BentleyPascoe]

No roots? Wow talk about aggressive selling. I would likely try to weight them to sit near the substrate and let roots grow in

[@sekharly]

Impressive video!

[@atkinsnatureaquariums3552]

Ludwigia tornado!? That sounds interesting

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

Greetings Bentley, My question is can the DIY C02 method be turned off at night time? I've seen some vids who mention the needle valve so it can be turned off at night. Would the bottle explode if it is turned off ?

[@BentleyPascoe]

It depends, basically how much it ends up producing. In theory no - you can control it with a valve or solenoid.

[@rods1597]

Did not see this addressed in any of your videos but if you receive stem plants that have very long roots would you trim the roots back to 1 - 2" or plant as is?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Yes, makes them easier to plant and encourages new root growth

[@kyletullyowns]

I keep wondering why my stem plants dont want to live. I now understand i am killing them by stuffing them in the substrate before they get roots

[@robertferraro5986]

I actually learned new things from your video, thanks! What are your thoughts on liquid CO2?

[@BentleyPascoe]

It does not replace injected co2, it's better as an algaecide

[@ricbrunner3880]

You should buy from Jacobs Aquarium. Never got a bad plant from him.

[@rickspringer4814]

What does it mean when my ludwigia is sending out roots from middle pieces of the stem? It's planted and growing but sending down roots halfway up the stem.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Typically this means the plant is trying to absorb more nutrients out of the water column when it creates aerial roots. This can be a sign that the plant is not getting enough nutrients down in the roots themselves, but as long as you're not seeing too much die off down in the bottom of the plant you're okay and don't worry about it

[@rickspringer4814]

@@BentleyPascoe awesome! Thank you man. These are fairly recently planted after being floated for awhile. You're right. As long as it's doing well, I'll hold back from tinkering too much.

[@patriciapowers3751]

Hi there. I really enjoy your information. Question…what about a dirted substrate? Shouldn’t the dirt provide the nutrition needed negating the need for root tabs? Thank you.

[@BentleyPascoe]

It does for a time, but it will eventually wash out and doesn't absorb as well from the water column as an aquasoil, hence why we often have root tab suggestions

[@eugeniovazquez7444]

What about plants that has gel over the root , for example the plant in pet co/petsmart

[@BentleyPascoe]

You have to wash the gel off, then plant as tissue cultures should already have some established roots.

[@eugeniovazquez7444]

@@BentleyPascoe WOW thank you for FAST reply 😀

[@heroshotaquatics]

Got a few pots of Mayaca (sp) , from coop. I tried it in a few of tanks with different strength lights , but none have CO2. It seemed to just get brown algae and never had or grew roots ... does it grow roots? Do you know of a red plant for high light, but no CO2, I have scarlet temple (fail) dwarf lily, looking for something to contrast the green Val and bronze of crypts in that tank. I really enjoy your content and thanks for turning me to the Green Aqua channel.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Try to find red myrio or ludwigia palustris

[@bevfrigon7142]

Thanks for a very good video. Do you have any advise for me. I have a planted tank ( low tech) which is doing very well except I am over run with pest snails. Tried assasin snails a few times but for some reason they die within the first week. I tried a snail trap but they prefer my plants! Grrr... Thanks so much for your help.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Depending on the snail, they should not be eating actively health plant matter. Usually I cut snails out by limiting food

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

so with stem plants with the weight on , do you separate them and plant around that 1 root tab ?

[@BentleyPascoe]

I separate them a little bit but realistically I only put like one root tab in the area where those stems are going to take up. All I'm trying to do is give them just enough room so that they have free space to create a nice root system.

[@fitmanaquatics1467]

As always amazing information! Do you have any suggestions on co2 diffusers? My co2 tubing refuses to stay attached to my atomizer, and tired of fixing every day.

[@BentleyPascoe]

Co2 tubing is stiff, so it can be a little more work, I use nilocG and GLA atomic diffusers and inline diffusers for the few tanks I run co2 on.

[@fitmanaquatics1467]

@@BentleyPascoe I tried thread tape to seal it in place. Have you ever tried petroleum jelly?

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@fitmanaquatics1467 no I haven't

[@robertbaker3174]

Help! Just caught this vid and reminded me of a ? I haven't found an answer for yet. Lace plant flowers and seeds continue to grow but stalks seem to rot after awhile. Maybe damage by heater or cat,I don't know. Last time I flicked flower and the little seeds settled on bottom and ended up with 90 plants starting. Any thoughts on that would be nice. Thanks.

[@BentleyPascoe]

The flowers only last so long, that's just the natural phase of the plant. Flowers for any aponogeton species (which Madagascar lace is) typically last a week or two with the flower steadily growing, then die off once it's been pollinated or been at full size for a few days.

[@robertbaker3174]

@@BentleyPascoe Thanks, wasn't sure because I know a stem was against the heater one time and I pinched another once. Had one flower last a good while with good size seeds but seem to just rot? Only time they sprouted was after I flicked flower. Oh well, someday I will get this right! Last great tank I had was when I was using tri- phosphor T+12's! Had a ton of rainbows and alot of water changed? Thanks for replying. Had a great day.

[@1domcouk]

Hi. Great vid again! If you are using under substrate ferts, would you also use liquid ferts for the water column. Seachem says to not use liquid ferts such as Seachem flourish if you are using flourish tabs. I guess the tabs leach a little into the water column. Seachem says to use flourish iron and potassium etc. What do you do?

[@BentleyPascoe]

So I don't use a lot of root tabs, I'm pretty precise on where I put mine which allows me to use water column ferts, I just use about a half dose of water column

[@djditto47]

If you have cuttings, do you add a weight to each stem or the bunch?

[@BentleyPascoe]

to the bunch, I just carefully wrap the bunch

[@marianitosan9759]

Hi, how does one become a Master Aquatic Horticulturist?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Usually through a local clubs horticulture program or similar program

[@austinp9348]

What size tank and what stocking is behind you?

[@BentleyPascoe]

29g 16 wild caught melanotaenia rubrostriata, 2 green dragon longfin BN plecos, couple otos and an sae

[@vanschermerhorn7167]

Did you say You had Creeping Jenny in your tank ?

[@BentleyPascoe]

Yes, it's a common name for a version of an aquatic plant

[@vanschermerhorn7167]

@@BentleyPascoe I have some in my flower beds . Wii it grow in my tanks ?

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@vanschermerhorn7167 slightly different species as I recall

[@barebottomaquariums1419]

Is that a rocket powered raccoon on your hat?

[@BentleyPascoe]

It's close. That's for a minor league baseball team called the Rocket City Trash Pandas

[@MrPhatbasslines]

I bleach dip new plants before adding them.

[@TypicalMT]

I can’t find your tissue culture acclimation video😭😭

[@BentleyPascoe]

It's my cryptocoryne video, I'll be doing a new tissue culture video in the future

[@TypicalMT]

Bentley Pascoe okay awesome thank you! I had recently pulled out my micro sword that was imbedded with my Monte Carlo because it was LoSing(saw you played wow) my midground, my Monte Carlo isn’t recovering so I’m restarting my foreground and adding some midground, all tissue cultures, 2xmonte Carlo, Eleocharis belem, Staug. Repens, and crypt green gecko! The only success I’ve had with tissue cultures in a matured tank was when I floated the AR for a few days first

[@eyedulhands]

What abot tissue cultures?

[@BentleyPascoe]

There's a video link in there which covers tissue culture.

[@deepcrows]

I wish I had watched this before I killed all my ludwigia super red

[@Jackson22379]

Just like always The KZbin never supports an guy with knowledge

[@Jackson22379]

And he responds.