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Is Microsorum pteropus 'Dwarf' even a valid plant?

The dwarf java fern continues to elude me. I have purchased/traded with various hobbyists for this species for a while; and time and time again, it turned out to be either a baby java fern or a malnourished java fern. Once placed in my high light tank, these specimens quickly attain the sizes of regular java ferns (both the regular and narrow leaf varieties). Now, I am leery whenever someone claims that s/he has the "true" dwarf java fern.

My most recent acquisition is an 1-inch tall "dwarf java fern". So far, it has gained an additional THREE inches. Argh!!! Fooled again. :evil:

Anyway, I am wondering if Microsorum pteropus 'Dwarf' exists and if there are any accounts of its short stature under high light growing conditions? I rather not continue chasing an imaginary plant. :mrgreen:

Curious.

 

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the red moss that I've been hearing about.

Do you mean this red moss? According to biker, it cannot be grown submersed.

Three inches max growth is pretty small though, if it doesn't get any bigger, maybe you got something there. (Send me a piece if you do :lol: ) Besides, I've heard about this dwarf thing off and on for at least 6 years. Wouldn't you think a big nursery like Tropica or Oriental would have gotten their hands on it by now?

SIX years?!?!? :shock: Ok, now I am 99% convinced that the dwarf java fern does not exist. The remaining 1% is left for hope that either mine stops gaining height, or someone else can provide definitive evidence. Live and learn. Hehehe.

"Split narrow leaf". In the pic, it looked like narrow leaf with "Tropica" dentitions. [...] I do have a poor scanned image of it, probably not worth posting it here though.

I am an image junkie so please post it. PM if you'd prefer. :biggrin:

there might be another species somewhere but I can certainly see how someone may be led to believe that a 2 year old java fern no taller than 1.5 inches could be a dwarf of some kind. I'd be happy to send you some but their mom is a regular java fern so I think you would see the same thing happen.

Thank you for the offer Giancarlo but my tanks are MUCH too small to accommodate their full size. I really appreciate your generosity nonetheless.