Umbrella Fern

[ChilliPepper]

I bought some Umbrella Fern at the advice of a young man in Swallow Aquatics who I said I was looking for a plant which my barbs wouldn't eat. I was going to get Java Fern but couldn't be bothered messing around tying it to things so decided on the UF. It is in a basket with some foam in and there are no roots on the stems. Should I just put the stems directly in my sand? Also is it an aquatic plant because I've just been reading that it's semi-aquatic.

Thanks!

 

[three-fingers]

Can you post a picture of it?

I think I've seen Selanginella wildenowii called 'umbrella fern' before and it's a non-aquatic.

 

[ChilliPepper]

It looks pretty much like that! Grr I'm so annoyed he sold me a non-aquatic plant, especially as he was supposed to be the plant expert What can I do with the plant? Will it grow in a pot? Cost £3 so don't wanna chuck it away, just had to chuck away two I bought at Pets at Home which were rotting.

 

[Smoothy]

I know how you feel mate ... I got sold the exact same plant I think from a so called "expert" ... along with 4 other non aqautic plants too

 

[three-fingers]

I'd try it in a pot, some Selaginella like it very damp while some can live in deserts by drying up and going dormant.

I've seen it living in cloud forests (so it gets humidity when people shower or bath).

For that reason I think the best place would be a bright bathroom window, just try to make sure you don't spend any chemicals on it or any reason.

 

[Super Dude]

why not try to get a refund?

 

[Amerce]

So many plants are being sold as aquatic when really all they are is a bog plant which shouldn't be 100% submerged, it will last for a time but eventually breakdown.

Basically anything that has a woody stem is not aquatic, aquatic plants are designed to move with water current and have a high water content which this particular plant doesn't.

Also many ivy looking plants are sold as aquatic but they once again look nice but won't survive.

Here are some articles on the diff species being sold under "aquatic" plants
Non aquatic
non aquatic2