Microsorum pteropus latifolia - pruning?

[Catfish586]

I have one of these lovely plants but it just keeps growing and is now almost filling the tank. Does anyone know the best way to prune them without damaging the rhizome?

 

[Archerfish]

Are you able to post a picture? Is it growing attached to a log? Do you simply want to trim the leaves to reduce the foliage or do you need to thin the plant down? If just the leaves, take sharp scissors and cut the leaf just above the rhizome. Avoid cutting into the rhizome unless you want to divide. I prune (thin) mine out by gently pulling and dividing the rhizome. Don't tear but gently pull and some of the plant will separate. To heavily divide, I use hand pruning sheers. The trick is to thin the plant incrementally over a couple of months.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

You can propagate Java fern and anubias by cutting the rhizome. You want to have a few leaves one each piece. I have tanks full of huge anubias. I have not bought or been given one in almost 20 years.

 

[Catfish586]

Are you able to post a picture? Is it growing attached to a log? Do you simply want to trim the leaves to reduce the foliage or do you need to thin the plant down? If just the leaves, take sharp scissors and cut the leaf just above the rhizome. Avoid cutting into the rhizome unless you want to divide. I prune (thin) mine out by gently pulling and dividing the rhizome. Don't tear but gently pull and some of the plant will separate. To heavily divide, I use hand pruning sheers. The trick is to thin the plant incrementally over a couple of months.

Hi pic attached... the hygrophilia behind it needs a trim as well. Thanks for the help. It's attached/growing round to the wood at the bottom, so I'll have to be careful that it doesn't become unattached.