Newbie Qns on java ferns

[eidos]

Hi to all,

My java ferns are growing sideways along the ground (gravel) and its branches are growing out roots. Is this normal? My tank is not deep, only abt 35cm.

[budak]

why did you plant them in the gravel?? java fern does best attached to some wood or rock (using cotton thread or fishing line). But if yours is visibly growing, just leave it. Do you mean that roots (and small fernlets) are growing from the leaves???

Check the AQ gallery also for Microsorum pteropus to ascertain if your plant is really java fern.

[eidos]

Ooopss.. guess i got the wrong name... did a search on the web and the correct plant should be Hygrophila difformis, Wisteria...

[vinz]

Normal behaviour for H. difformis under bright light. whne light is insufficient, it will grow upwards.

[geoffrey]

The strange thing about my Java Fern is they hadn't grown at all since December last year. Not a single new frond or shoot. Had I took a snapshoot then and compare with one now, it would be the same.

At first, it was shaded. I attributed the problem to light and shifted it, wood and plants, directly under my PLs and yet those fellows aren't responding! I haven't tinkered with my fert regime though and I doubt that will help since all my other plants are doing great. Java Fern are suppose to be great pearling plants too but not mine, even directly under my artificial sun.

Strangely, they are neither dead or rotting, just dormant. Can someone help point out what I am not doing right?

BTW, you will find one of the loveliest JF in Planta Aquatica's tank.

[lorba]

I would suggest you cut most if not all of the leaves, maybe 4/5 portion of a leave. They have always responded well for me in this manner.

[eidos]

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On 9/10/2003 12:39:10 AM

Normal behaviour for H. difformis under bright light. whne light is insufficient, it will grow upwards.
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Hi Vinz,

So how can i keep the plant's growth in check? can i just cut the new extended shoot of the plant and pull the new root out of the gravel?
If not, I think in no time, my entire tank will be overtaken
with H. difformis...
[]

[vinz]

Eidos,

Yes, that's what you need to do. Every few months or so, you'll have to uproot the old plant and replace with cuttings of the new shoots.

[eidos]

Thanks for the advice!

Cheers!