Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Tank Plant Advice => Topic started by: naughtymoose on October 21, 2014, 09:51:04 PM

Title: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on October 21, 2014, 09:51:04 PM: Hi
In my tank I planted some Java Fern. I tied the fronds at their stem around a plastic fake coral ornament so that it would have something to cling to.

I'm getting what I believe to be adventitious roots developing from the spori at the tips of the fronds.

Should I try and peg these down in to the sand substrate, as I would try to propagate a plant with runners in my garden?

Moose
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: dbaggie on October 21, 2014, 11:11:09 PM: Hi naughtymoose - the roots should be attached to a little leaf and rhizome. They're basically little ready made Java Ferns. These will actually break off of their own accord and can be attached to other items within the tank.
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on October 21, 2014, 11:25:19 PM: Thanks dbaggie

I've only got the small piece of planted bogwood and the horrible fake coral thing as previously mentioned.

Will they grow directly from the sand? Or do they need something to cling to?

Moose
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: dbaggie on October 22, 2014, 08:26:56 AM: I'm fairly sure that they don't like the rhizome being buried, although must admit that I haven't actually tried. I tend to attach the little fern-lets to things like loose rocks and small pieces bogwood as it then gives you a moveable plant to use anywhere you want - you can also put more than one fern-let together to create an instant mini Java bush.

Fern-let isn't the correct name for them by the way, it's just what I like to call them!
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on October 22, 2014, 10:37:13 AM: Thanks again dbaggie.

I shall source some suitable anchors!

Moose
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: Sue on October 22, 2014, 03:33:34 PM: Rhizomes should not be buried or they rot. I think burying the roots is OK but I stand ready to be corrected.
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on October 22, 2014, 10:10:34 PM: Thanks Sue
That makes sense, often similar with terrestrial ferns.

As I don't have any more space in my 40L for bogwood, I wondered if anybody has a suggestion as to what I can tie the frond root ends on to?

I wondered if using some of the BiOrb Alfagrog ceramic media (looks a bit like man-made Tufa rock) might be a good idea? Is that stuff OK for things like Corys and Otos? They are on my list to get eventually...

Moose
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: Sue on October 23, 2014, 09:37:08 AM: I have java fern tied to just about every bit of decor on my tanks. Not only wood but plastic logs etc. They disguise the plastic quite nicely.

The biorb ceramic media is usually said to be too rough for cories, though as I haven't handled it myself I can't confirm that.
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on October 23, 2014, 12:48:23 PM: Thanks Sue

Last night I did some web crawling and came to the same conclusion re the biorb stuff.

I found a couple of pictures of the fronds tied on to small pebbles, so Im getting some thin clear elastic beading twine off a girly friend who makes bracelets. My theory is that as it has a slight stretch, it will be easier to pull tight (fibromyalgia makes and CFS makes such jobs a bit fiddly).

Report to follow in due course, with pictures!

Moose
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: Fiona on October 30, 2014, 12:23:21 PM: It's incredibly fiddly NM, I found it easier to use irregular shaped pebbles and use a needle to help with knot tying.
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: ColinB on October 30, 2014, 04:31:21 PM: I use elastic bands..... nice bright colours so the tank looks a bit funky and I don't forget to cut them after about 6 weeks.

However; in my limited experience with java fern they've only properly attached themselves to bog wood - I suppose 'cos it's quite rough and the roots get into the wood fibres. The Mopani wood and vine wood haven't been too successful except where I've managed to jam the fern into an existing crevice in the wood - I think they're too smooth.
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: Sue on October 30, 2014, 04:36:56 PM: I have java fern attached to plastic log/root ornaments, but again they have a rough surface for the roots to get hold of. But in my betta's tank I managed to attach it to a terracotta plant pot. It took a while but I persevered and got there in the end.
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on October 30, 2014, 07:40:17 PM: Thanks all.
Good idea about the needle Fiona.

I thought attaching it to pebbles might end up being tricky, so am going to use coconut shell.

I've bought a cheap half-coconut bird feeder, and am going to remove the fat stuff and put it on the bird table. I got it in Poundstretcher... for a pound! I selected one in which the fat was loose from the shell to make life easier.

I'll clean it up and then wallop it with a mallet, to break it in to small bits.

Then I'll tie the fern on. Not sure if it will stay on the bottom yet, but I'm sure I can weigh it down with a pebble.

I'll see if I can give it a try it tomorrow.
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: ColinB on October 31, 2014, 07:53:11 AM: If you carved/dremmelled a 'door' in the coconut then you could use it as a cave for the fish to play in.

Sort of like this...

(http://www.fishkeeper-classifieds.co.uk/uploadedimages/64023781.jpg)
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: Fiona on October 31, 2014, 06:49:43 PM: I've seen those on amazon and ebay, very tempting to buy but soooo expensive, if poundsavers are doing them for £1 it might be worth a go for the bigger tank. Does the shell need soaking or anything does anyone know?
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on October 31, 2014, 07:12:31 PM: Fiona

I reckon a good soaking/scrub will be a good idea to get any residue of fat out of the shell.

At about 03:00 this morning (it's a Chronic Fatigue-not-being-able-to-sleep-properly-thing) I found a few useful YouTubes on moss etc and coconuts.

This one uses fishnet stockings. Ooh er!!! :-[
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: fishcake76 on October 31, 2014, 07:42:53 PM: golly!!, who knew you could do so much with moss!!!!!! what a clever lady, and such lovely fingernails!! My order of moss arrived today - now where did i put those fishnets? ;D

Fc76
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on October 31, 2014, 11:28:34 PM: If I wasn't so knackered, I might come over all unnecessary... :D

Seriously though, in the middle of the night, I suddenly awoke with the thought of using the plastic needlepoint stuff! Bummer. Somebody else already thought of it! I liked the moss pole thingies.
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: biffster on November 01, 2014, 07:59:34 AM: i buy coconuts i leave them whole drill a 23/4 inch hole in them remove
all the pith with a filleting knife then i boil the she for one hour replacing
the water odd times then when dried i super glue java moss and java fern
to it leave to set [4 mins] then back in the tank
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on November 01, 2014, 08:40:01 AM: Does it set OK when wet biff?
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: biffster on November 01, 2014, 04:50:01 PM: super glue set better with damp or moisture super glue is
also inert when it as cured so its ok to use in the tank
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: Fiona on November 05, 2014, 04:54:24 PM: I used super glue as well and it worked ok. I'm using a fruit net bag to grow moss to stones, cheap and cheerful and just as good as fishnets :)
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: naughtymoose on November 05, 2014, 09:34:26 PM: Fiona

I'm not sure anything is quite as good as fishnets :P

I'll get my coat...
Title: Re: Java Fern
Post by: SteveS on November 05, 2014, 10:53:34 PM: Yeah, I like fishnets too; especially the black ones! :o

Seriously, I use the green nylon netting that you can get at a garden centre. Just wrap your stone in some, then weave the ferns though it. After a few weeks, you can cut the netting away.