How to grow round clumps

[Easternlethal]

Does anyone know how to make these round clumps in the foreground?

Here's what I mean. An example from Monsieur Barr...

Would be interested to hear suggestions for plants/moss and planting/setting techniques for similar looks.
thanks!

 

[Greenfinger2]

Hi Easternlethal, It could be done with Wabi-Kusa balls. Make the balls grow moss or low growing plants on it. Then add them into the tank to grow out. Giving a mound look to your Scape

 

[id_joker]

 

[id_joker]

 

[Easternlethal]

Thanks for that. Riccia pearls beautifully but I always thought that it doesn't attach or grow well and tufts tend to float away..

At least that has been my experience.

 

[Greenfinger2]

Riccia, will need constant trimming to keep its shape and stop it from floating off it can be done though

One photo Riccia ball at the back behind the rock

 

[Easternlethal]

what is the substrate? because i also found that over time it can lose its shape if made of soil..

 

[Greenfinger2]

Hi With the riccia I tied clumps of riccia to bits of lead and let it grow out from there. With constant trimming you can stop it floating off. Another problem if the top gets to thick the plant mass below will die off so its a fine balance.
Wabi-Kusa balls should not fall apart the moss and plant roots should hold things in place. Or you could use stocking place the substrate in and make a ball the size you want then cut tie a knot and add moss around the outside and plant other plants through the stocking.

 

[Easternlethal]

Here's one that's closer to what i have in mind. Can anyone identify the tall mound at the back and how it is done?

It is quite elevated and i think would be hard to pull off with wabi-kusas.

You can see it in this video quite clearly and at one point he even pulls off a clump.

http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/video-of-tom-barrs-open-house-meet-and-trim-ideas.33739/page-2

 

[rebel]

Thats mini pelia.If you push it into a rocks and crevices in little clumps it will grow in clumps. Here is mine.

 

[Easternlethal]

Very nice.. i have something similar but a much darker shade of green that grows pretty slowly so I've had trouble identifying it. I did try to push it into a crevice but it just floated out.

How do you secure it and does it require a lot of trimming?

 

[rebel]

Very nice.. i have something similar but a much darker shade of green that grows pretty slowly so I've had trouble identifying it. I did try to push it into a crevice but it just floated out.

How do you secure it and does it require a lot of trimming?

I have used super glue in some instances with good effect. It grows slow so very little trimming if any. Once every 6 weeks etc. I just break off clumps and shove it into holes in the rock. It's got a rough texture in my tank.