View Full Version : Dead Javas, healthy wisteria?
7itanium
05-06-2009, 8:22 PM
I have an interesting question....
over the last week or so... some of my java ferns seem to be getting a bit brown around the edges, and looking not to healthy...
what is even more interesting about this... is that my wisteria (which was previously not doing too well) is now flourishing, and sending out runners! there are like 6 new plants and the original ones are huge....
WHY would wisteria (a semi-difficult, and higher light plant) be flourishing... when java fern (an EASY, low light plant) be dying????
Tank- 55g acrylic
Light- 108w T5 6500k
Co2- not currently (powerhead has been broken for 3 weeks)
PH- 8.0
Nitrate, ammonia, nitrate- 0
Ferts- Flourish.. 1 capfull every water change day (weekly)
algae-- a bit.. but its pretty well under control now
inkyjenn
05-06-2009, 8:32 PM
how long have you had the plants? the only thing i can think of is that the java fern may be getting too much light
DiezelEinstein
05-06-2009, 9:25 PM
wisteria is not high light. you can probably grow it in your toilet or a closet. it's invasive and thats why it grows well even in poorly cared for tanks. it's a nutrient sponge and great for cycling tanks, but will rob nutrients from other plants.
is the java spitting babies or just brown spots??
probably too much light, i noticed when i moved mine to the shade, the leafs went back green.
jbradt
05-07-2009, 2:06 AM
I have to respectfully disagree with the "too much light" theory. IME, my javas were the first to go when there was a lack of nutirents in the tank. If you have 0 nitrates, could it be that the wisteria took off and took nutrients away from the javas? How long has each plant been in the tank?
Just a thought...
7itanium
05-07-2009, 2:19 AM
they have both been in the tank since it was established (3 months ago)
its definately NOT baby java.. I know what that looks like-- it isnt spots.. its just that the leaves are turning brown on the edges
I will try adding more ferts then?
I also dunno how I can have too much light... im barely at 2 WPG
timwag2001
05-07-2009, 6:14 AM
are java ferns are the roots or rhizome buried? i'm not experienced with this plant. but i've read that they aren't supposed to be buried.
Wisteria grows easily???? I tend to agree with the original poster that it doesn't always.
I've got an amazon sword, hornwort, java fern, java moss, pearlwort, moneywort, bacopa, stargrass...
The one plant that ISN'T doing well is my Wisteria. (well the amazon sword originally had die back when I got it- but after cutting off the dying leaves- all of them- it has since grow two small very healthy looking leaves and is now doing nicely).
I suspect there is more than one plant that is sold as water wisteria- because mine looks different to what I see online and is nowhere near as hardy and trouble free as many make out. Started with 5 stems- the stems started going hollow on all of them- but my 2 remaining stems that didn't completely die, despite looking dead at the base- have the last few days started growing a number of new bright green leaves- so I have hope for them.
One theory based on comments above about Wisteria being a nutrient hog is this: Perhaps our experience- both having Wisteria in a newly setup tank- is that there simply arn't enough nutrients... UNTIL the tank establishes some- which could explain why we both had a torrid time with it to start- and that in your case, your ferns are doing badly but your wisteria has started doing well...
There is slowly becoming more nutrients in my tank- which might explain why my Wisteria is FINALLY growing new leaves.
Perhaps:
New Tank = Wisteria dying.
Established Tank = Wisteria thriving.
Wisteria Thriving = other plants starving?
It does sound like the wisteria is robbing all the nutrients from the ferns. It will probably stop this growth spurt pretty soon as it too runs short of nutrients.
You could easily double or triple the dose of Flourish. And getting the CO2 back online should be a big plus.