Replanting anubias w/ roots over a foot long! Advice needed.

[IzabelB]

Hello!
I pulled up this anubias from a dirted tank and I wasn’t expecting these super long roots. I was going to replant it into a 2 gallon tank that has only about half an inch of substrate in the spot I wanted to place it.
Would it be bad to cut most of the length off to make it easier to plant? I can’t imagine trying to get all these long roots to stay under the short layer of substrate in such a small tank.
Thank you.

 

[Blacksheep1]

Yes , you can certainly trim the roots . Just be aware you shouldn’t bury the rhyzome , the long part that the leaves are growing from, or it’ll rot. It looks very healthy, so I’d be brave at cut between the 3-4” mark.

it’s clearly sought out your substrate to source nutrients, the white roots will of been submerged and the green out of substrate.

You could attach it to a rock to keep it from floating with some string or glue which makes it easier in the long run to move about without the fear it’ll float or die etc.

I’d expect if you cut the roots off it’ll throw some new leaves as it redirects the nutrients from root growth to leaf growth. You may be treated with a flower if you feed too .