Java Fern

[Rlon35]

I look at pictures of tanks, and this plant always looks great (see Aaron's picture for example). But, every time I buy it, see it in the store, and/or see it in a tank in person.....it looks like hell. Always damaged, blackened, decaying, etc. So, I ask, what's the point of keeping it? Is it just a question of the right maintenance, because conditions shouldn't be much of an issue from what I have read. I know decay is a sign of new growth, but why should I keep this plant if it rarely looks good? Not trying to offend any java fern fans...by any means. I have done better with the lace variety, but still similar problems exist.

I am becoming disenchanted with Java Ferns and Anubias, the latter of which I tend to prune faster than it grows due to algae. Injecting Excel just doesn't seem to work for me, as it just seems to lead to an overdosing of excel. I have washed my anubias in bleach, then an excel rinse, scrubbing it with good results, but who wants to do this regularly once the plant has attached to rocks or driftwood.

To me, you can't lose with java moss, lotus plantsa, onions, and wisteria. Hornwort grows way to fast, as do the floating plants. I like rotala walachii, as I now see how much of a difference 'level' pruning makes. Anyway, just some thoughts from a guy with lushly planted tank. I will see how much of a difference the eco complete and more CO2 makes after the move.

 

[SuperColey1]

Java Ferns and Anubias are known as easy to grow and hardy plants for a reason. They will grow with or without CO2, under the lowest light or the highest light. You can just have the Rhizome with no leaves and they will sort themselves out however...........

..........When you first put the plant in it tends to get black, holey and sprout plantlets. I find they do this until they attach. If I rescape it does the same. Anubias need good circulation over them which is not so easy because often they are on the items which are causing deadspots, namely hardscape so circulation is important.

So several things really. Firstly you need to be at the 10x flow or more. Then with the Java Ferns cut off the bad leaves when you see them go bad, If you see plantlets on a leaf and the leaf is good then gently slide your fingers up the leaf and the plantlet will come away. You can use the plantlet if you wish but don't leave them on because they will take the nutrient from the leaf and it will definately disintegrate eventually. After a month or 2 you should have a nice healthy plant once it has attached itself properly.

Anubias is a similar thing really. Remove any really bad leaves and make sure when you do your weekly clean that you get all the crud out that settles in them. GSA is quite normal with these plants because the leaves hardly move and therefore anything that settles on/in them doesn't just wash off with the flow.

As per most things in this hobby maintenance can normally help a huge way towards the end result.

AC

 

[aaronnorth]

Like Andu says, usually when any microsorum sp. is bought the leaves turn black and die, you can cut these off as you see them or you can cut all the leaves off just leaving the rhizome. It will take a while for it to re-establish itself again but it should grow back healthily.