Java Fern

[Rak9378]

I've got some Java Fern that is starting to sprout new growth right off of the leaves.  I'm just wondering what is the best thing to do...let it continue growing that way or trim the new leaf growth at some point?  If trim, what is the best way to go about that?  Here is a pic that shows the stage of the new growth...still pretty small but its almost as if it appeard overnight!
 
Thanks!
 

 

[DrRob]

They do this. Best thing to do depends on what you want. Personally I'd wait for a few more to develop and then plant them and you'll have more java ferns than you know what to do with.
 
From there you head over to classifieds and raise some cash to feed the next bit of your hobby.
 
Otherwise you can try removing the leaf, but there's a good chance that the others will follow.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'd leave it.  The leaf will eventually start to brown.  When that happens, remove the leaf at the base, trim it off and attach the 'plantlet' to something in your tank.  This is a great way to add plants to your tank, with no cost.   And as Rob states, if you get too many... sell them in the classifieds, and you can treat yourself to something else.

 

[dave840f1]

I find it better to take the leaf off when there is only three or four on. By doing this they grow faster and stronger. I pin the leaf to the gravel or tie it to driftwood and let the leaf rot and as it does the young plants start to take root to whatever they are attached to. Hope this helps.

 

[Alasse]

I tend to just leave em be, the plantlets will fall off on their own, they are getting nutrients from the adult leaf, so the longer they are on there the less 'work' they have to do on their own.
 
I let em float around the tank til they get a bit of size, or i need them to plant another tank out

 

[Rak9378]

Thanks everyone for the info. Just about every leaf is sprouting new growth now so I will have more than I know what to do with! I will definitely check out the classifieds. Thanks again

 

[coolie]

It's triggered by a change in the plant's hormones. Has something changed in the water, or has the water gone a bit stale, for example?

 

[Rak9378]

It's triggered by a change in the plant's hormones. Has something changed in the water, or has the water gone a bit stale, for example?

No changes to water that I'm aware of. I am diligent about my weekly water changes and test water weekly. Everything I have read indicates this is normal and a sign of a healthy plant. What makes you think it could be something wrong? Thanks

 

[coolie]

Not something wrong. I've been reading about plant hormones, and would love to find out in the realm of aquariums, what kind of things can trigger hormone changes.

 

[Rak9378]

Not something wrong. I've been reading about plant hormones, and would love to find out in the realm of aquariums, what kind of things can trigger hormone changes.

Ah got it. Nothing I can think of that has changed. I think it's just normal plant growth for the Java Fern.