"Gail Futoran" wrote in message
...
"W" wrote in message
news:L6bpc.9349$RM.3939@edtnps89...
i just did a big vacuum of my tank. My java ferns havent
looked very good
since i got them. A week ago i started co2 with a bubble
counter and every
week i use some liquid flourish. the java ferns have some
black edges and
holes on them, they are also slightly curled inwards. the
affected areas
are worse near the tips.i also added some extra light so
i've had a bit of
an algae bloom. today i thought i would rub off some
algae and i discovered
a bunch of things growing on the back of the leaves. i'm
not sure what they
are, if i had to guess i'd say its growing new rizomes off
its leaves but i
thought that was supposed to happen underground. anyone
know what this is?
i'm also wonder what sort of water conditions java ferns
like, ph, gh, etc.
thanks, W.

Java fern's pretty forgiving (pH, light, etc.) but
you need to attach it to driftwood or a piece of
rock or something, not plant in in gravel etc. I
use ordinary sewing thread. Java fern will
reproduce by growing new leaves off the tip
of older leaves. The stuff growing off
the back of your leaves - could it be algae?
I've occasionally had a young Java fern get
infested with algae.

Gail


Thanks for everyone's input. I have since dug up my java ferns from the
gravel. I couldnt find any drift wood i liked so i bought a couple of foot
long air stones. I attached them to it with some black thread. When i get
enough java moss i will also attach it to the air stone to help camaflouge
it. The little things on the back of the leaves are definatly baby ferns.
When i looked closer i could see the green shoots. i pulled off a few of
the large ones and put them on the air stone. i dont know how big the
baby's get before they fall off but im planning to replant some more. I'm
hoping they will all do better now that they aren't underground. W.