And I know they grow from rhizomes. So I bought the 3 variates. But the 'Congo' rhizomes came totally bare.
Now I know roots go down, I am not that dense. BUT the biggest rhizome I got,has a very large 'fat tuber' shaped growth on it, that is pointing upwards. If I plant it with the 'tuber' pointing up, the roots will be planted sideways, If I plant it pointing down, the roots will be pointing up AND sideways. BUT I am 99% sure that this 'tuber' is a rhizome section that had the plant at the end of it, and it was removed. Won't a new plant start from that point? So if I plant it wrong, it wont grow....right? There are three spots where I can see plants were removed and they have calloused over very well.

So plants will grow from the rhizomes either at the point the plants were removed, OR on new growths...right? Anyone know about how long that takes? And which way to plant this big 'Congo' rhizome with this oddly pointing 'tuber/rhizome'?

Somehow I dont think it will do much if I plant it upside down. I have contacted the seller to ask what to do with it...but I might as well ask you all about it. You might have encountered this in your growing.

I am soaking the roots now, in wet paper towels, they were bone dry,...now they are nice and pliable. The 2 varieties with plants on them I can plant, no issues. But this one big 'Congo' rhizome has me stumped,...the one with this big 'tuber/rhizomes' on it. I got 3 'Congos'...the other two I can plant, roots down and bare side up....how deep do I plant them? This one with the 'tuber/rhizome' on it may go in sideways, if I cant figure out which way to plant it...and how deep for all 3 Congo rhizomes,....then fingers crossed....unless I get better advise. Anyone?

Me again, please stop soaking the bare rhizome, that's the opposite of what it needs; not a good idea (IMO).

I can't quite follow this in words, could you pls post pix? Really I need to see it.

I planted a rhizome some time back & I have results. I'll try to find the pix ......

I don't know how long it takes. I know you want the best for your plants, I don't think it's as complicated as it seems here. Likely it'll right itself whichever way it's planted. (I remind myself these plants have grown for thousands of years w/out humans to right them or make sure they don't root upside down.)

This was June 2011

It took one year exactly to get to that point from an absolute bare hunk of root.

I'll look around for a bit later pix.

Thanks whoever responds, I think its a leaf.

Rhizome is the root. I don't mean to be rude Greg, but maybe you'd consider starting to look things up for yourself. I happened to see where you asked it I think on the Sans. Forum & no one got around to answering. Part of starting to learn about plants is also starting to try & look things up oneself. It just takes starting, we'll help you, but we can't do it all for you.

You needn't apologize, but it has been pointed out that you frequently come back w/ several more questions for each answer you're given.

I don't wish to discourage your inquisitiveness (I'm kind of curious myself), and I am all for learning, but it's time for you to start doing some of it yourself.

This is a case in point, one could search:

rhizome, definition of

this is one of the first results that came up:

"www.thefreedictionary.com/rhizome
rhi·zome (r z m ). n. A horizontal, usually underground stem that often sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Also called rootstalk, rootstock."

So that's how one starts searching for oneself. Baby steps are a good thing.

Aveo,

I hope you don't throw those out, we who grow these don't regard it as waste of soil, that's not a sentiment many gardeners I know share. Maybe before you do that, you'd give them to someone who WOULD grow them.

Good lesson in reading up a bit on something before one buys it.

Still, Aveo, I wish you don't give up on them.

The ones with actual plants on them, will go on my front porch. They are pretty, and for only $1.25, I got 2 big 'Jade Dwarf' plants, and a smaller 'Twisted Sister'. So they can go into pots, and put them to be seen on the front porch.

Except for a cut off leaf, and a cracked leaf, they are in perfect condition. Hey, if the seller considers them 'imperfect' and cant sell them as 'perfect',it saved me a ton of money. The 'Congo' is all rhizomes. THAT one I would have loved as a plant with a cracked/cut off leaf!

Time will tell if anything comes from those rhizomes.

Look again at what your Seller said & look again at my pic. See those 2 roots sticking out? Well, you'd expressed your concern about exactly that; it happened w/ my plant & the plant didn't seem to care. Look the little pup is growing & the roots look alive & the plantlet is fine.