Growing Java Fern?

Question

How do you grow a java fern? I found an online place to order rhiozomes from, I've heard you need to anchor it on something. I only have a 2.5 gallon tank at the moment so is there any way I could keep it alive in there until I get a 10 gallon? Does anyone have any links about growing the fern? Thanks!!

Thanks for the advice!! I think I'll go the route of just leaving it float maybe, I intend to take the 2.5 gal down once I set up a 10 gal so thats where the plant's permanent home will be. Also, this might sound dumb but will my betta eat it? From what I heard they are pretty strictly carnivores but I wonder.

Answer 1

Java ferns are one of my very favorite aquatic plants, so beautiful and so undemanding! Here is a link concerning Java ferns from one of the very good aquarium-related websites:
http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_javafern.php

You will find that anchoring your rhizome to a piece of driftwood, bogwood, rock or even a manmade decoration is all you need to do to help it become established. I prefer to use black sewing thread to tie it onto the wood, tying knots which are secure but not overly tight. With time, the fine black roots will take hold of your chosen wood or decoration and cover the thread you originally used.

As for keeping it alive in a small tank, yes, you can do that as long as you give it appropriate light and there are some nutrients in the water. Java ferns are not very demanding for nutrients; if you have a small fish or two in the tank they will likely produce enough waste, converted by your biological filter to nitrates, to keep the ferns alive. As for lighting, I have found that even the standard flourescent fixture sold in aquarium "kits" is sufficient for Java ferns, no need to invest in specialty lights for this plant.

Even if you leave it floating until you can move it to its permanent home, it should survive just fine. When it produces its adventitious (or 'baby') plants, they will do well to simpy float until they grow large enough to anchor on an object in the tank.

Good luck and happy fishkeeping!

Answer 2

Java Fern Care

Answer 3

Java Fern really requires little or no special care compared to other plants. A 2.5 gallon tank is a perfectly acceptable home as long as you are able to continuously trim it back. It will get very large if given the time, so just keep cutting back adventurous shoots. When you only have the rhizome, you can either use a rubber band, fishing line, kite string, gravel, or gravity to hold it down. If you plan on attaching it to wood or rock, secure it with string that you can later remove (the rhizome will attach to the wood/rock and anchor itself). Be sure it gets at least 6 hours of light, and it will be nearly impossible to kill. Email me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: You're right, Bettas wouldn't even consider touching the Fern. No issues there...

Answer 4

Java Fern is actually very easy to grow. Use a rubber band piece of string to tie it loosely to a rock or piece of driftwood and let nature takes its course.