Does Java Fern HAVE to be tied to driftwood to grow?

[rsanz]

Hi all.

New plant owner here, I've got some baby java ferns in my tank and I planted them directly into the gravel (Eco-Complete). I've read from multiple soucres that java ferns should be tied to a piece of driftwood in order to grow properly. Is this true? I don't have any driftwood, but I do have some stone fragments left over from the slate tiles I bought. Could I tie the ferns to that?

Can I just leave them in the gravel?

And say that I do end up tying it to the stone, once the roots take hold, can I then bury the stone into the gravel?

Thanks!

[msjinkzd]

you just want to make sure the rhizome is exposed. I have some tied to driftwood, tied to rocks, stuck in eco (loosely). The ones on the driftwood definately grow the best

[Bk718]

java ferns can die when planted in gravel, it does best when tied to driftwood, stone or just let it sit on top of the substrate..

[dixienut]

i put a plant weight around the rizome and let them sit on top of the gravel, i just got done doing this to a few babies floating around the tank. help keep them still. so they root there..

[StereoKills]

They can be planted in the substrate as long as the rhizome isn't buried. If it does get buried, it will rot and the plant will die.

[Fishy_Fun]

i put a plant weight around the rizome and let them sit on top of the gravel, i just got done doing this to a few babies floating around the tank. help keep them still. so they root there..

i suggest you try what dixienut says.

[jpappy789]

I agree about the rhizome. I have mine in the gravel and doing just fine (minus one bunch), getting plantlets as well.

[Coler]

or you can jam it in crevices between rocks, or in the driftwood, again once the rhizome continues to be exposed

edit : I do believe that is the first post I ever made in the planted section...I better watch myself...end up all salty sooner rather than later