Nice pics, Ragn4rok.
Im a big fan of ferns myself.
Microsorum pteropus "Phillipine" and Microsorum pteropus "Undulata" is not really common in Singapore.
Hi all, how many Microsorum species do you know? Are there still many species than what I have listed here? Thanks
All information are taken from Tropica homepage.
1. Microsorum pteropus
Family Polypodiaceae
Continent Asia
Region
Country of origin
Height 15-30 cm
Width 12-20+ cm
Light requirements very low-high
Temperature 18-30 °C
Hardness tolerance very soft-hard
pH tolerance 5-8
Growth slow
Demands very easy
Microsorum pteropus is a water fern which should be grown on a root or stone, attached with fishing line until it has gained a hold. If it is planted in the bottom, do not cover the rhizome because it will rot. Easy to propagate by splitting the horizontal rhizome. A hardy plant which grows in all conditions. The black spots under the leaves are sporangia (reproductive organs), not signs of disease as many believe.
2. Microsorum pteropus "Windelov"
Family Polypodiaceae
Continent Asia, Cultivar
Region Cultivar
Country of origin Cultivar
Height 10-20 cm
Width 12-18+ cm
Light requirements very low-high
Temperature 18-30 °C
Hardness tolerance very soft-hard
pH tolerance 5-8
Growth slow
Demands very easy
Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv' is a patented variety of M. pteropus, named after Tropica's founder Holger Windeløv. Its finely branched leaf tips make it one of the most beautiful aquarium plants. A hardy and easy plant for both beginners and the more experienced. Best results are obtained by planting it on a stone or tree root. If planted in the bottom the horizontal rhizome must not be covered. This plant is not eaten by herbivorous fish.
3. Microsorum pteropus "Undulata"
Family Polypodiaceae
Continent Asia
Region
Country of origin Thailand
Height 10-35 cm
Width 10-25 cm
Light requirements very low-high
Temperature 18-30 °C
Hardness tolerance very soft-very hard
pH tolerance 5-8
Growth slow
Demands very easy
Variety of Microsorum pteropus with wide, wavy-edged light green leaves. In most conditions the plant grows appreciably larger than Microsorum pteropus, and is therefore best suited to larger aquariums. The plant was originally found in southern Thailand. See also Microsorum pteropus.
4. Microsorum pteropus "Narrow"
Family Polypodiaceae
Continent Asia
Region
Country of origin
Height 10-20 cm
Width 10-20 cm
Light requirements very low-high
Temperature 18-30 °C
Hardness tolerance very soft-very hard
pH tolerance 5-8
Growth slow
Demands very easy
Microsorum pteropus is a highly variable species, and new varieties are easily bred. M. pteropus ''Narrow'' has narrower leaves, which grow at a less acute angle from the stem than the normal M. pteropus. The plant attaches readily to roots and stones. A decorative plant, which is also suitable for smaller aquariums. See also Microsorum pteropus.
5. Microsorum pteropus "Phillipine"
Family Polypodiaceae
Continent Asia
Region
Country of origin Philippines
Height 10-30 cm
Width 10-20 cm
Light requirements very low-high
Temperature 18-30 °C
Hardness tolerance very soft-very hard
pH tolerance 5-8
Growth slow
Demands very easy
Variety of Microsorum pteropus with strikingly beautiful long, slender 'hammered out' leaves. Microsorum pteropus ''Philippine'' grows readily on roots and stones, but can also be planted directly on the bottom - but not too deep. The plant is hardy and also suitable for larger aquariums. It is tolerant of salt, and originated from the island of Panay in the Philippines, where it grows right out in the tidal river mouth and thrives both below and above water. See also Microsorum pteropus.
6. Microsorum pteropus "Red"
Family Polypodiaceae
Continent Asia
Region
Country of origin Thailand
Height 10-30 cm
Width 10-20 cm
Light requirements very low-high
Temperature 18-30 °C
Hardness tolerance very soft-very hard
pH tolerance 5-8
Growth slow
Demands very easy
Variety of Microsorum pteropus characterised under good growing conditions by new leaves with a reddish brown colour. The leaves turn greener as they age. The leaves are longer and broader than the standard variety of Microsorum pteropus. An impressive plant, also in larger aquariums. Originally found in southern Thailand. See also Microsorum pteropus.
7. Microsorum pteropus "Taiwan" or Microsorum pteropus "Needle leaves"
8. Microsorum pteropus "Tropica"
Family Polypodiaceae
Continent Cultivar , Asia
Region Cultivar
Country of origin Cultivar
Height 15-50 cm
Width 15-30+ cm
Light requirements very low-high
Temperature 18-30 °C
Hardness tolerance very soft-hard
pH tolerance 5-8
Growth slow
Demands easy
Microsorum pteropus 'Tropica' grows fast and is bigger than M. pteropus. Highly distinctive, with dentate leaves. Older leaves are sometimes lobate (up to 5 cm lobes). M. pteropus 'Tropica' has been bred by and named after the Tropica nursery in Denmark. Microsorum pteropus 'Tropica' is patented and may only be produced commercially by licence. A beautiful solitary plant for large aquariums.
Last edited by ragn4rok; 30th Jan 2007 at 10:44.
Nice pics, Ragn4rok.
Im a big fan of ferns myself.
Microsorum pteropus "Phillipine" and Microsorum pteropus "Undulata" is not really common in Singapore.
What about the unofficial ones like "Reverse Tropica" and "Split Narrow Leaf"?
I have not heard of any updated conclusions on these, but are these for real? Anyone?
Reverse tropica I've not seen, but split narrow leaf should be quite common amongst those who keep narrow leaf Java fern. It seems to be a natural phenomenon. Here's mine, freshly taken a few minutes ago:
This one is of a split at the tip:
And this one is of a rather obvious split:
And yea... I'm having a case of green dust on the tank walls.
Great thread, split ends happens when the plant is mature. I have some that were planted from spore that took about a year to split ends.
They split more than two, sometimes looking almost like a windelov multi branch split.
Jeffrey, I've grown all the ones you've shown except M pteropus sp narrow and red. Both looks very attractive.
Personally my favourite is the needle leaf which i call narrow leaf! I noticed that some have undulating leaves while some are just flat needles. Perhaps that's another variant.
You can if you dare to fail - Stan Chung
I used to have a batch of really nice looking (to me) Java fern that I recall were bought from NA. They really looked like Java fern Philippine. But that's doubtful because I bought them cheap
I've since sold them off. I've heard and agree with the guys at the old LFS Gratiola... Java fern has lots of forms.
Hi Stan, almost all my microsorum came from Tropica, including the narrow one. It's different from what you called "narrow" there. I have been told by my friend too that actually my Microsorum needle is called M. narrow in Singapore. And that's make me think how does real M. pteropus "needle leaves" look like. Anyone care to share?
Hi Jeffrey, I think the one you call needle is called narrow here[ M'sia] and in Singapore.
The one you call narrow is somewhat not as wide as the normal Java fern. This one I've seen twice but I wasn't convinced it's different from the normal Java fern.
You can if you dare to fail - Stan Chung
I would agree with Stan. The narrow leaf that I got are a lot closer to the pictures of needle leaf. Have not seen anything that is wider than our narrow leaf and resembles your narrow picture.
sometimes i wonder if some of them are actually the same , like M.pteropus "needle" and M.pteropus "Narrow". It depends on the water parameters that make them looked different.
There is difference. The width of the leaves are different.
I have both of them before in my tank.
Nicholas
Newbie en el cichlid enano
Anyone has an aquascape of java ferns only? Do post here and let us get some inspiration. A shoal of harlequins in a large tank of java fern has always been my dream. Saw one in The Natural Aquarium by Satoshi Yoshino and Doshin Kobayashi, it's that one that started me off on planted tanks 10 years ago.
Some how never got much success getting the normal java fern to grow until that of the first picture. Normally they just stay more and propogate with smaller ones. Any advice? Windelov was an easier success though.
I have a java fern scape. Not too ready to show
Try not to have to much lights but a little sunlight (about 2 hours) will be great. A little potassium will help. Slightly bigger bioload does help since Java do better with larger amount of NH4. I also notice that grows better with Slightly stronger water current (Not whirlpool though)
Cheerio,
Sleepy_lancs
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An afternoon trimming my watery garden is better
then an afternoon with a therapist
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
hi,just want to ask what is the optimum growth water condition of java?is it hard or soft water?thanks.
Both hard or soft water are okay. Just be careful of the water temperature. Too high, you get rotting java. This means pulling those dying ones out. Else the rest get affected.
Cheerio,
Sleepy_lancs
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An afternoon trimming my watery garden is better
then an afternoon with a therapist
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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