FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi guys! I have so many plantlets growing on my Java Fern and i have found ones topping 1.5 inches. I was wondering when or if i should remove these shooots from the mother plant. If so, when and how. Thanks alot!

><> ~=!Vote Today!=~ <><
-----> View My Dragons <-----

I always just wait until they fall off Or if they are developed enough that you could attatch them to a another peice of rock or driftwood. As far as removing them goes, just pluck them off, its that easy.

Just letting you know... These thing grow really slowly. so unless you want to keep a bunch of 1.5 inch plants in place, I suggest just waiting till they come off on their own.

Ok! Thanks guys!

I am just a little impatient on waiting on the JF. I mean, i see roots, and large leaves, so i thought that they are ready. I dont really want to pluck them off until i am sure they are ready!

Thanks Again!

><> ~=!Vote Today!=~ <><
-----> View My Dragons <-----

Hi,
Java Ferns and other low light plants are considered
slow growing plants. If you want fast growth you would
want to have some stem plants.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi frank!

Its not the actual plant growth that i was reffering to. I was just impatient on the little plantlets. I have an amazon sword, that is growing so profusely. I have to get more gravel today and also Jobes Plant Spikes. How many do i use and how should i put it in? I just want the sword to get enough nutrients to survive. I was originally thinking about getting a fertilizing substrate like eco-complete, but the manager at the LFS was giving me problems and he was pushing the Co2 yeast system on to us. I had to get out of there! I hate when people try to discourage you from getting a product you know that works, and when they try to manipulate you to buy something overpriced and overrated! I mean, i dont even need the darn Co2!!!

Anyway, i think i am going to wait a bit longer before i see plant rhizomes on the plantlets to detach them from the mother plant. I am going to get another java Fern for my 20 and i hope it has large leaves, as my otherone is cmaller leaved and a bit smaller.

Thanks again!

><> ~=!Vote Today!=~ <><
-----> View My Dragons <-----

Hi,
Generally speaking you can take a spike and cut it in
half. Then insert (bury) one of the halves at each of
the cardinal points (N,S,E,W) around the plant about
two inches out from the base.

Folks are rightfully excited about the various new
substrates that are available today. However, they all
were "invented" for folks who were emulating Amano and
others who create a heavily planted tank, that is
absolutely drop dead stunning, take pictures, and then
within a year, tear the tank apart toss the substrate,
and start up all over again. They have timed release
fertilizers built into them and are not designed for long
lived tanks. Take mine for instance, I just tore it down
after 14 years. The new substrates would have ceased
providing anything other than a medium in which the plants
could anchor years ago.
Flourite, for instance, lasts for decades and always
provides the necessary iron for plant growth. You have to
provide the other nutrients. The neat thing about Flourite
is that it now comes in other colors besides the original
red that I have. My next tank will have black Flourite.

As far as CO2 is concerned - every plant will grow more
lush and sometimes faster, with the addition of Carbon.
You can add it by injecting the gas from either a CO2 tank
or from a DIY system, or you can simply use the product
SeaChem Excel. The size of the tank is what should
determine which you use. A small tank, up to 30-40G could
use the DIY system, larger tanks should use bottled gas,
and depending upon how thick your wallet is, you can use
SeaChem Excel on any tank.

You don't NEED to use additional Carbon if you stick with
lighting that is under 2 watts per gallon, and
plants that are considered appropriate for "low light."
Some "medium" light plants will also thrive with no
additional Carbon.
When you are running 3+ watts per gallon,
additional Carbon is a must. Think of light as the engine
that drives plant growth, and Carbon as the fuel for that
growth engine. In low light tanks that are moderately
stocked, and lightly planted, the fish should provide all
that is necessary for plant growth.

Frank



-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

With the plantlets just leave them alone and when they break off naturally that is the time to either tie them or let them float for a while. As mentioned they can be very slow to grow, it is to put a time on when they will break off.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Hey guys!

I was thinking of getting an incandescent hood for my 20 gallon, and putting in 6700K compact fluorescent bulbs. It would certainly up my WPG to at least 1.5-1.8. Maybe even 2.3!

What do you guys think? Should i start adding CO2 to the tank from a DIY co2 projector, or is the co2 from the fish ok? I have given up on excel, as it is far too expensive, and i just dont have enough money to get it, for every other week.

Thanks!

edit: do you think i can have a nice, lush, landscape with kuhli loaches and tetras? If so, what plants do you reccomend for nice lushness? I just want it to look nice and beatuiful, while keeping it simple and easy... Take a look at my new tank setup on my sig to see what plants could go where, and what to do....Thanks!!!

><> ~=!Vote Today!=~ <><
-----> View My Dragons <-----

Hi,
With that amount of light you may get by without co2, but if you add co2 you'll see a lot faster growth. If you do that you probably want to start fertilizing too though, since increased growth means more nutrients needed. Check out my site for info on fertilization if you need some tips.

http://beginneraquarist.petfish.net