[2wheelsx2]

Now that I have pressurized CO2 and have removed all the fast growing stems, I am continually fighting with my Java Ferns. I have it fastened to a piece of Malaysian Ironwood in my 20 gallon to the right third of the tank. The problem I am having is that it's ALL OVER the wood now, and not just on top and slightly to the side like I had originally intended.

Is the solution to stripp off all the leaves and rhizomes off the side of the wood? Or do I just continually prune the leaves. How do you guys keep your Java ferns so neat?

The other thing I noticed is that at the top of the wood where the densest growth is, I noticed that periodically I get a huge die back. That is, the center of the leaf mass goes brown and rots and dies. Once I prune it back, it grows back normally, and then it'll happen again? Is this because it's too close to the light, or is it just because it's too dense so some leaves were not getting light/CO2/ferts?

 

[D.gilly]

i believe the diebacks are due to high light and then lack of light in my 75 gal i had 3 huge javas one ( my largest ) was 2 feet squared at least dense and healthy growing in hight light then when i put in my floaters it died back and wasint very dense but still growing. The other java i had ( second largest ) is at the very top of the water most leaves that shoot out of the water turn brown and die back to the water level but no major die backs. hopefully my experiences work. As for keeping it's size down trim larger leaves, periodically trim roots and cut of peices of rizome which are spreading to areas where youi dont want any more. Personally i'd let these things grow their worth their weight in gold i got almost 50 dollars from a Lfs for my big one.

 

[2wheelsx2]

I did let it go in the beginning, but now my tank is just one big mass of java fern on the RHS. It's only a 20H, so there's limited room in there. Here's a pic from Dec.:

 

[ragn4rok]

Mine had never been trimmed since I bought them (This microsorum was about 2 years old). The size was pretty amazing too 3 x 2 x 2 ft.. If they got too big, just sell them to lfs.

 

[blackfly]

How in name did you develop this beauty? I have, for years, yearned for such a thing in my tank and have tried every trick. Let me know your lowdown. I am praying for your plant and not just to have it, but to develop and maintain it.

Simply staggering. Truly beatiful.

 

[2wheelsx2]

Mine had never been trimmed since I bought them (This microsorum was about 2 years old). The size was pretty amazing too 3 x 2 x 2 ft.. If they got too big, just sell them to lfs.

Wow, that's pretty amazing. I guess I'll have to think about selling it to LFS, but only if I can grow mine like that!

 

[ragn4rok]

Hi,

This was my first tank a long time ago (about 4 years ago). You can see that Microsorum in this tank. I didn't do anything with my Microsorum..

The tank is about 3 x 1 x 1 (ft) or 100 x 45 x 45 (cm). temp : 24C, filter : Atman 3337, fert : Tropica Master Grow, CO2 tank system, JBL AquaBasis, silica substrate

0 month(s)

2.5 months

6 months

 

[medicineman]

Man, Jeffrey your decision on making another pond is just right, to keep those monster plants and get them even bigger.

Too bad you've gotten rid of that huger fern because should you keep it you can do a contest with oliver knott's fern :icon_lol:

I tell you guys, my friend... he has a lot of luck growing plants. With magical water supply right on the tap, even now he keeps most things with sunlight... no lighting bill for that monster pond.
Magical I mean it... he is totally blessed the right temp, quite soft, rich of trace, no liquid ferts added, no CO2 injection.. just plain base/root ferts to quench the big eaters.

I wish my water is like that!! :icon_wink

Anyway I'd like to add that java fern can be menacing over time. Keep in mind that this is a 6feet+ tank

note the humble sized fern on the top.

more than a year later, exactly the same plant, transplanted trough re-scape

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/medicine2/DSC_0004-1.jpg
It choked a part of the tank. Growing from one end to another and sticking to the glass..
Could have been worse if it does not reach a bump on the surface.

 

[2wheelsx2]

Yeah, that's exactly my problem. I guess I'll have to decide whether I want to let it grow out to sell, or trim it drastically and keep it.

 

[bsmith]

I used to just give mine to a local lfs with cool people that work there as collateral for free stuff.....untill i found aquabid!.

B