Dying java and windelov ferns

[antitrust]

i haven't had much success with java and windelov ferns. they look beautiful and come in a nice green when they're freshly purchased and first put into the tank.

however in 1 - 2 months time, they just start to brown and they gradually die off. sometimes i'll see new plantlets growing out from the leaves itself but the main leaf that these plantlets grow out from gradually turns brown and dies completely..

is there something that i'm doing wrong? i just lay the driftwood on the gravel and i don't push them in. do i need to?

because i noticed that my petite nana has grown long roots into the gravel and eventually into the soil in another tank..

[chooz]

I think those java fern that you bought were grown emersed (out of water) in the farm. When they are put into your tank (submerged), the old leaves will die after about 1 month. But new shoots should start to sprout from the base and you will have a "new" plant. You can also harvest the plantlets (those that grow from the leaves) and tie them to new driftwood. That will make a nice "foreground" until they become big.

[chooz]

There is no need to push the driftwood into the gravel. In fact, you are not supposed to do so. The roots need good circulating water..

[Midori]

i haven't had much success with java and windelov ferns. they look beautiful and come in a nice green when they're freshly purchased and first put into the tank.

however in 1 - 2 months time, they just start to brown and they gradually die off. sometimes i'll see new plantlets growing out from the leaves itself but the main leaf that these plantlets grow out from gradually turns brown and dies completely..

is there something that i'm doing wrong? i just lay the driftwood on the gravel and i don't push them in. do i need to?

because i noticed that my petite nana has grown long roots into the gravel and eventually into the soil in another tank..

Hi Antitrust,

Was it a new tank when you first introduced the fern? Some ferns might brown out and melt away in new tank with new water.

When you buy a new piece of fern on wood, try to cut the leaves away and plant them in area with good flow for better growth.

In maintenance, it is good to cut them botak periodically to lessen the bulk, promote fresh green new leaves, make them spread more.

[antitrust]

Hi Antitrust,

Was it a new tank when you first introduced the fern? Some ferns might brown out and melt away in new tank with new water.

When you buy a new piece of fern on wood, try to cut the leaves away and plant them in area with good flow for better growth.

In maintenance, it is good to cut them botak periodically to lessen the bulk, promote fresh green new leaves, make them spread more.

cut the whole thing botak??? meaning i'll only leave the rhizomes intact?

that's interesting. but wouldn't it take a very long time to grow back but i guess at this point there's no loss since it's already somewhat botak anyway...

thanks you, midori!

[reagan022]

mine is growing fine. try have better water conditions (ph and fert). it will help your plant grow better. Not sure what is the best for them. mine is about 6.5-7ph. my fert is from my bioload in the tank and unwanted water from another tank.