The longest leave is 16 inches with many others almost as long. I've had to place it on the substrate but it's now starting to break the water line. Just how big do they get?
How big for java fern?
- Thread starter reiverix
- Start date
let me check my handy aquarium book...are you sure you have a java fern theyre only "supposed" to get 20 inches long...hey maybe you have a world record java fern??
Yeah it's java fern alright. So it's got maybe another 4 inches of growth left. I'll see if I can somehow get a sideways placement with it. Delay the inevitable.
I've got a Java mother plant that covers a vertical piece of driftwood in my 29 gallon. The biggest leaves are around a foot long not including the stem. I would love to see yours, sounds like a monster!
If you want to limit the growth, just trim the bigger leaves. You will get shorter, fuller growth this way. I don't trim mine until plantlets form, and then I pluck the whole stem and use the old leaf as an anchor for the new plant.
I believe height is also determined by the amount of light available. More light = taller plant
Or could just be better overall conditions, I'm not really sure. In my 25 low light the fern stays fairly small, about 6-8" leaves. In my higher light tank the leaves are 10" plus.
Or could just be better overall conditions, I'm not really sure. In my 25 low light the fern stays fairly small, about 6-8" leaves. In my higher light tank the leaves are 10" plus.
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wow I made a typo in the first it was 10 inches not 20 that's why i said you may have world record :joke: :joke: :duh: :dance:
My bed of java fern has a couple 11-inch leaves and a lot between 8-10 inches.
If you want to keep the leaves shorter, try suspending the rhizome off of the substrate. The ones I suspended 12+ inches from the floor have approx. 6 inch leaves, but the roots/tendrils (free floating) are around 6-inches and growing faster. Its a kinda neat effect.
The roots/tendrils have recently started sprouting new green growth about 3 inches from the rhizome.
If you want to keep the leaves shorter, try suspending the rhizome off of the substrate. The ones I suspended 12+ inches from the floor have approx. 6 inch leaves, but the roots/tendrils (free floating) are around 6-inches and growing faster. Its a kinda neat effect.
The roots/tendrils have recently started sprouting new green growth about 3 inches from the rhizome.
I do have them under high light at 4wpg + CO2 which I suspect the ferns are liking a lot. They can be quite the grower despite their reputation for slowness.