PepsiGirl71

My husband just brought me home this java fern. Should it look like this? It's pretty ugly... With the shape it's in do you think it has a chance for survival? I'm keeping the reciept, have a 30 day guarantee. This plant is not quite what I had pictured...

Butterfly

Thats pretty much it But Java Ferns need to be attached to wood or a rock. They won't grow roots into the substrate but tend to rot if planted.
looks like a nice big one and could probably be divided up into two plants. Here is a profile from a very good aquatic plant site. http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=161
Carol

sirdarksol

It looks like it's suffered a bit, but Java ferns are incredibly resilient. As long as the rhizome survives, it can spring back from nearly anything. As Butterfly said, they do need to be attached to a rock or piece of driftwood. They will also do okay if left free-floating, though they do better attached to something.
I would clip the worst-damaged of the leaves. These leaves are using the plant's energy to try to heal themselves, and this slows the plant's growth.

PepsiGirl71

Yikes, I think I wrote my notes down so sloppy that I messed up. I attached the anubias (in another aquarium to a piece of wood. And planted the java fern in the substrate. I can't seem to get anything right. (and that's with having plantgeek right in front of my face)...

Butterfly

Both do very well attached to rock and wood. Anubias shouldn't be planted but can be laid on top of the substrate and weighted down and it may grow down into the substrate a little but the rhizome should never be palnted Java fern doesn't grow firm roots from the rhizome. More like water roots.
Carol

PepsiGirl71

The only wood I have is grapewood. Just last week I had a HORRIBLE experience with it so I'm afraid to use it with the java fern.

Butterfly

A rock would do just as well
carol

Butterfly

So how are the Anubias and Java fern doing
Carol