newbie java fern question

ChuckP

ChuckP

overrun by java moss...
Mar 12, 2007
56
0
0
Central Virginia
www.chuck-parker.net
I have a java fern in my 2.5g betta tank that's starting to sprout plantlets on a few of the leaves.

I'd love to start some of these up in my 20g tank. When's it safe to pop these guys off and set them up in the new tank? Will they drop off readily themselves?
 
Not sure 'when', but yes they will begin to sprout roots and eventually fall off. Kind of like a spider plant I guess, for lack of a better way of explaining it.

My LFS 'popped' off some buds for me and I just stuck them 1/2 in the substrate. 3 weeks later - wholla!
 
thanks- the spider-plant comparison is a good one.

I'll probably just wait them out - one of them's got what looks like a pretty decent root system developing, so I suppose it won't be long now...

thanks again,
 
I've seen the mother plant shed the leaf with the plantlets..and they survive.
I usually leave them on till a mass of roots form..or a small rhizome..
I've floated them in a tank and most if not all seem to survive.
 
Be sure to keep the rhizome above the substrate.
 
I've successfully done this with the java fern in my 20g tank. I just wait until it looks like the new leaves and rhizome are about to fall off (or do fall off) and then tie them on to a new part of driftwood.

So I guess my advice would be to be patient and wait until it looks like the new-forming plant is big enough and healthy enough to survive on its own. A nice sized rhizome that has some roots growing out of it is a good indication.
 
I've had good luck seperating the mother plant at the rhizome too Chuck- you might try that if the fern starts outgrowing your 2.5g.
 
thanks all - great advice.

During the water change in the 2.5 on saturday, a couple of the plantlets dropped on their own, more or less.

I just pitched them into the 20 floating free, and by Sunday afternoon, they'd both grown some more roots and a couple of new baby leaves.

I'm going to let them establish themselves a bit before tying them down anyplace. Hopefully they'll take.
 
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