Spiraling ribbons that spread on their own. Corkscrew Val (Vallisneria sp.) grows tightly twisted, ribbon-like leaves, a textured midground accent that fills in by runners. The leaves reach about 8–20 inches depending on the form. The problem Vals are sold as "easy", then melt in the first weeks, and most people pull them out just before they recover. The Father Fish way Vals are root feeders. In a Father Fish tank, the runners travel through the sand cap and feed from the soil below, with no tabs and no dosing. Your plan Plant it in the sand cap, crown at the sand line. Roots go about one inch into the sand, not into the soil, and the crown stays at the surface of the sand. Expect melt. Leaves often die back after a move. Keep the crown in place, and it resprouts in about 2–3 weeks. Let the runners go. New plants appear along runners. Remove whole old leaves rather than cutting them partway. What you get 1 plant, bare root Height about 8–20 inches depending on the form, midground Medium light. About 68–82°F. Why it matters Pull it during the melt and you lose it. Wait three weeks and it fills in by itself. FAQ Why is it melting? That's normal after shipping. Keep the crown. How deep do I plant it? Crown at the sand line. Is it the same as Jungle Val? No. It's smaller and twisted. Can I trim it? Remove whole leaves rather than cutting them.
