LA
Starter java fern plants held to the wood with rubber bands.
Java Fern on Wood: Java fern clamps on to wood or rock (or any other
rough surface) if given a chance. Just use a rubber
band to hold a starter plant. A month or two later, the roots
clamp on quite securely -- if mo one or no fish disturb your little fern
garden.
LA
Same wood and plants one month later
Finishing Touch: Get out your X-acto knife
or box opener and slice thru the rubber bands. Voilâ.
You have a home-grown focal point for your aquarium -- a natural
ever-growing focal point.
LA
You can also make plugs.
Why Plugs? Pre-started java fern plugs
enable you to colonize a large piece of driftwood. Just place your
plug in one of the wood's notches. The Java fern will spread on
its own.
LA
Lots of little plugs with anchored Java fern.
Plugs Versus Focal Point: Plugs enable you
to establish your own Java fern ranch fairly inexpensively. It
works best for people with more time than money.
LA
Once plugs start growing, they can serve as focal points themselves.
Plug Plusses: These little starter plugs
can easily grow into an attractive focal plant on their own.
Several plugs can grow into a veritable jungle.
LA
The small plugs just keep on growing.
Plugs Gone Wild: You can let your starter
plugs go wild if you wish. Java fern will clamp on to nearly any
object.
LA
Java fern clampons clamp on to nearly any surface.
Ferns Gone Wild: You'll see Java ferns clamping on to the
substrate, rocks, wood, filter sponges, and the filters themselves.
Little bitty guys grow on the leaf tips. Some break off and latch
to nearly any available surfaces -- the plastic stems of your filter.
I've never seen them attach to glass.
LA
Ferns Like Sponges: Ferns grab on to rough surfaces --
especially rough soft surfaces.
LA
But ferns look much better when attached to wood.
LA
The clampons on this plug also attached to the gravel.
LA
As mentioned before, Java ferns grow just fine in brackish water.
LA
Tiny ferns feel right at home in betta bowls.
LA
Even the plainest piece of driftwood can be fancied up with Java
fern.
LA
In one to two months these guys will colonize this wood.
LA
The other java fern (
Java Fern III
) readily colonizes the wood also.
LA
And it also improves the appearance of fancy driftwood.
LA
Add some angels and you're all set to go.
Last Word: Java lance fern demands very little --
just water and some light. You won't need a carbon dioxide
generator to grow a Java fern jungle. A piece like this looks very
good in a tank of angelfish. LA
For more Java fern info go to
Java Fern I
Java
Fern II
Java Fern III
© 2007
LA Productions
aqualandpetsplus.com
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