Try cutting only the roots. Leave the rhizome alone (the closest thing I can
think of that resembles an Anubias rhizome is a Tapioca; hope that helps
:-) ). If you cannot see the rhizome, cut some of the oldest leaves (or
leave a few, though one leaf is actually enough).

If you want your leaves to be up growing out (very) quickly to replace those
lost, placed it emersed (not submersed) in a growing tank with NORMAL
fertilisers. Wash the plant from the growing tank and move it to your new
tank. Don't worry about injuring the plant. Anuibas are one of the hardiest
plants.

You should also tie the rhizome to a driftwood or rock that is at least as
long as the rhizome. This help to make future moving easier. In time the
roots will be produced and "glue" to it (explains your moving problem; the
roots may have "glued" themselves to the bottom). Note that Anuibas roots
can be planted into the soil but the rhizome has to be placed above the soil
or the Anuibas dies.

Hope the above helps.

Jo


----- Original Message -----
From: "Aaron"
Newsgroups: rec.aquaria.freshwater.plants
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 12:53 AM
Subject: Whole 20 filled to the top with Anubias.



I started a tank with manure and potting soil a couple years
back and threw in some fern, anubias, and crypts. I set the
light on a timer and pretty much got busy with other things and
neglected it, only feeding the fish a few times a week. Now I
see, the anubias took over and the crypt and fern are small and
stunted. The whole tank is filled to the top with anubias and
I can't budge the thing. Something seems stuck good.

I want to move them to a larger tank, my concerns a
If I pull up the anubias, are the roots deeply imbedded in the
potting soil, manure and gravel mix, will it release the rotten
sulfur gasses and kill the fish too? Will I mess up the
plant's establishment and large growth if I move them? What if
I cut them, how should I cut it? I can't trace because I can't
see where the roots start and begin, there are green branches
all over and white roots sticking out everywhere.

I want to move the anubias, if I knew this was going to happen,
I would've started with a larger tank when I first began. If
possible, I'd like to keep the whole plant as big as possible
and not have to fragment it.

Thanks all.