Windelov Fern - help (trimming)

[skillful abbot]

I think I spelled that right...

This morning I cut the frilly ends off the leaves along with the little jr. plants hanging off them because there were was a brown fuzz growing at the joints of the new jr plants' roots.

The ones that did not look so bad i tied to fuji stones and put them in my work tank.

What I would like to know will cutting the frilly ends of the parent plant damage it in any way?? Is that brown fuzz supposed to be on the frilly ends. Some how I do not think so.

 

[FishyFry]

The brown fuzz is probably just due to a lack of light and/or water movement. Trimming the plants this way does not necessarily hurt them, but it does make them less visually pleasing. In addition, the junior plants are the method in which the plant propagates, so you really want to keep these. Just removing the brown fuzz by hand and adding a bit more light and water movement should do the trick in the future.

 

[GirlieGirl8521]

Are you sure the brown fuzz is algae? Java fern roots are brown and fuzzy looking, so don't mistake that for roots. I also wouldn't cut off the ends of the leaves, as that will most likely kill that leaf. If you need to trim it, cut off the entire leaf. Usually when the baby plants grow some, they will come off themselves.

 

[skillful abbot]

Dang....they were roots.

 

[FishyFry]

:duh: ya learn sumpthin new everyday. I like your avatar, by the way.

 

[skillful abbot]

But above the roots were some brownish gunk that I remeoved. but before cutting I tied the children off to moss stones. We'll see what happens.

Thanks FishFry. It's Nozotchi!