Wisteria is dying at the roots

[Sixwolf]

I've noticed that while the leaves of my wisteria remain mostly green, the roots and the lower part of the stems are dying and rotting. The sprigs I got I planted in the gravel. One seems to be doing just fine, but the other two with the rot I just plucked out, removed the bad ends, and left floating for now.

Does anyone know why the root ends were dying? Also, I use Flourish for my tank.

[aemaki09]

Mine do that too sometimes.
It usually happens to me when the ends aren't clean cut when you plant them.
I'd cut the ends with scissors up to the next bulge in the plant and replant, or let float till it has some roots again then replant...trying some root tablets could also help!

[Sixwolf]

Yeah, I think some root tablets might be beneficial for them if I plant them when they get new roots. Neither the snail nor the betta really poo where the wisteria is, so maybe it needs a little extra help.

[valen1014]

I had the same problem with all the wisteria I've had. Eventually I just gave up on them ^^; I think wisteria just doesn't like me for some reason lol Please let us know if that ends up working for you so maybe I can start trying that too next time!

[efg321]

try floating until roots form and cut off well above the nasty parts!

[mld02004]

Same problem also. I cut the tops off and planted those. They are doing better than the original plant...

[Sagat]

Seconding efg321's advice.

I've had infinitely more luck replanting at the roots than with clippings. My stems never seem to sprout roots at the site of the cut and prefer roots sprouted elsewhere on the stem.

[Oldfishlady]

Usually when you have rot at the base of the stem on stem plants- it is due to-the wrong color temp of light, old light bulbs and/or photoperiod related-if its not due to anaerobic soil.

The driving force behind successful planted tanks is the light...without proper color temp the plant can't photosynthesis. The stem rots at the substrate line so it can break away to find better light for survival.

What kind of bulbs do you have, age of bulbs, watts, kelvin and photoperiod.

[shawnee]

that plant isnt really for floating

[Oldfishlady]

For some species of stem plants-Floating is a survival method-when its not happy or its needs being met in its location-It will break away-Float to a new location. While water wisteria isn't a true floating plant-it will be fine floating for awhile-at least until it sprout some new roots. This is one way I propagate some of my wisteria-When I clip the lower leaves from the top I pinched-I plant the pinched top and then I let the leaves float until that leaf sprouts roots-then I will lay a rock over the roots and once it anchors itself-I remove the rock.