A Question On Narrow Leafed Java Fern

[oldwhitewood]

Hi,

I've noticed my narrow leafed fern has a less than lush appearance, there are some sorta black marks on the leaves like dots. That said the plant is reproducing and there are loads of little plantlets forming on the leaves, some of which are breaking free and growing in the substrate.

Do you think I should start dosing with iron? At the moment I'm using ADA green brightly step one, 8 drops per day. I am about to move onto step 2 as the step one 3 month period has passed. I know step 2 has iron in it. Certainly my rotala and java moss show no signs of slowing down. What do you guys think?

 

[George Farmer]

I found my fern to be very NO3 hungry. Have you tested NO3 yet?

 

[qwikimpss]

I have the same thing on the underside of my Java's leaves, little black bumps.....almost look like snails, but arent....

 

[TammyLiz]

I have the same thing on the underside of my Java's leaves, little black bumps.....almost look like snails, but arent....

The bumps on the bottom of the leaves are spores for reproduction and nothing to be worried about.

 

[qwikimpss]

Makes sense, I wan't sorried about them, just wondered what they were, thank you!

 

[George Farmer]

I assume the "less than lush" appearance is more the issue. This would indicate a lack of nutrient(s).

Extra iron should do no harm and may redden your Rotala up a bit too. I'd consider testing for NO3 and possibly PO4 though, better to nip any defs. in the bud before algae or BGA can get a chance to take hold.

 

[oldwhitewood]

I think I'll start dosing nitrate, my phosphate levels in my tapwater are ridiculously high so I've always err'd on the side of caution when using EI with my phosphate levels.