BruceF

Leaf forming new plantlets.

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Seattle_Aquarist

Hi BruceF,
Where you growing that plant emersed?

BruceF

No, that leaf was growing submerged in a 29g tank with no substrate. The plants are attached to some very old driftwood. I was away for a few months and some rotala had grown three inches thick across the top of the tank under the light. The java ferns were getting some light from the window near the tank. While I was away my daughter fed the fish and added treated water as needed to keep the tank full.
I assume the plantlets are formed as a direct result of the lack of nutrients. I suspect the plant reproduces in this way in order to cast itself into another area. But I have no idea really.

asukawashere

Java ferns reproduce that way under just about any conditions - not particularly in response to any lack of nutrients. You'd have to really work at it to starve a java fern, if there's fish food going into the tank and a window providing ambient light, there's bound to be enough nutrients for the fern to grow and multiply.

In any case, it's always fun to see plants multiply. Once the plantlets get big enough, you can break them off and tie them to pebbles or other pieces of driftwood. Given some time, you'll get a whole bunch of bigger java ferns.

Daniil

I had that happen to my fern many times. Do not worry, it is normal.


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neilshieh

When i used to grow windelov fern, they'd do that all the time even though the plant was healthy. Leave the plantlets growing on the leaves for a while until the rhizomes are 1/4" and then break them off.

B76

I have a question. Is this black algae? Or is this my java fern reproducing then withering away?

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HeyPK

The picture is a little blurry, but it looks like you have black beard algae growing on the edges of the leaves.

BruceF

I don’t think there is any algae growing on the leaf. I first got this fern about 25 years ago. It has been through extended periods of neglect and always bounces back. Often it has been the only thing that kept me from just cleaning out all the tanks and moving on. I have enough at this point to cover the bottom of a 40g tank. I give some away almost every year. I’m curious if anyone thinks this is a periodic thing? (Spring and all that)

I floated it on top of some java moss in a 2g jar with a lid. I am curious to see if I can get it to grow out of the water. My memory is that it grows a much stiffer leaf that way. I think that was the form I first got it in but it has been a long time and memory is full of tricks.