Java Fern Sprouting Little Plants

[millym]

hi
have a lot of true java fern that are all sprouting little plants from their leaves, whats the best way to separate these baby plants do i just nip them off & put them in the gravel? or is there a different way to do it??
thanks
apologies if this soundslike a stupid question.

 

[Lateral Line]

apologies if this soundslike a stupid question

Asking the question indicates that you have thought about it. If everyone considered their actions before doing them, there would be no need for the forums here and the world would be a happier place!!

The plantlets are buoyant and will eventually float free by themselves, thus, in theory, you can simply wait until that happens. Otherwise, you can nip them off by whatever means is most convenient.

There are a couple of other issues you should be aware of however.

The rhizome of Java Fern can easily rot if buried in the gravel. It is best attached to some bogwood or other object, (fishing line or similar). The real roots can penetrate the gravel, but the stout fleshy rhizome should be kept clear.

The other thing is that there are a few cultivars of Java Fern which produce "growths" on their leaves which are not plantlets, but could be mistaken for them at the early stages. These growths usually have the form of another leaf, or "finger" like projection. These can be induced to root, (indeed so can the ordinary leaves), but there is a little more involved. I'm assuming you do not have such a cultivar!

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh just leave then to come off of their own accord and then tie them to something so they can grow

Sam