Java Ferns Wasting Away...

[thisguyek]

I added a few java ferns to my tank... maybe two months ago. What i started out with was two large clumps and divided both into two sperate plants, resulting in four main fern clumps. Since then, I had one die off quite quickly. Probably within a week it started to rot at the base of the leaf and work its way up. (perhaps thats 'melting'? not sure) another one followed suit shortly after. these were the smaller two clumps of the four.

The other two larger ones have been doing quite nicely over the past month or so, with noticable root and leaf growth. But over the last week, one has completely gone now. Like i said, it starts turing grey at the base of the leaf and quickly work its way up the rest of the leaf. I've now snipped off all leafs, leaving the rhyzome and roots.

Can I expect new growth, or is it a lost cause? Also what could be causing this? The other clump still looks very nice with healthy looking leaves. I'm sorry i dont have any pictures for you... I guess if the other one starts i could snap a few...

 

[Fishy friend2]

Did you bury the rhizome

 

[thisguyek]

nope, superglued it to a rock.... as well as the rest of them...

 

[thisguyek]

image 1
image 2
It seems that my last chunk of java fern is starting to waste away as well... I hope these links work

One is the last chunk that i trimmed everything off of. I left the rhyzome secured hoping i would eventually get new growth. Maybe someone out there can look at it and let me know if its possible or not...

The other picture is the plant thats wasting away. again hopefully someone out there can look at it and let me know whats going on. I heard java ferns are super hardy, so im a bit confused as to why i ended up with these results...

let me know if the links dont work.

thanks for taking a look

 

[Fishy friend2]

What is your lighting in the tank, perhaps it could be too low

 

[shoulders]

what fertz are you adding ?

 

[Fishy friend2]

what fertz are you adding ?

I don't think ferts are the problem, as long as the OP has correct lighting

 

[thisguyek]

I've got (2) 15 watt T8 floramax bulbs over the 55gals. I add the appropriate amnt of API leaf zone weekly. Not sure if this makes a difference... but i also use root tabs for my swords.

Dont java ferns prefer a lower light? or am a thinking of my anubias?

Once it starts, it actually spreads quite quickly... Id say a good quarter, if not more, has rotted (for lack of a better term i guess) at the stem of the leaf.

 

[thisguyek]

any other ideas?

 

[tanksalot]

It could be that your Java ferns were grown emersed rather than submerged, or possibly submerged but in very different conditions to those in your tank; either way, they may now need to adapt by means of shedding their leaves and starting over.

I would be patient and leave the rhizomes in place for the time being. If they seem firm and not obviously rotting, then there is every chance new leaves will start to grow - though under those light conditions they may take a while.

 

[thisguyek]

It could be that your Java ferns were grown emersed rather than submerged, or possibly submerged but in very different conditions to those in your tank; either way, they may now need to adapt by means of shedding their leaves and starting over.

I would be patient and leave the rhizomes in place for the time being. If they seem firm and not obviously rotting, then there is every chance new leaves will start to grow - though under those light conditions they may take a while.

alright, thanks. when i got it they had the rhizomes attached to leaves... and i glued the leaves to rocks. well needless to say the leaves have rotted away and the whole thing ended up floating away... so i took it out. still got one secured to a rock so i guess ill just leave it in there and see what happens.