FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hello everyone. I was browzing through Walmart the other day in the garden center when i noticed plants that looked like java ferns. I went over ant the tag said that they were like crocodile skin plants(something like that). The scientific name was Microsorum musifolium. I was wondering if this species of Microsorum would do good in the aquarium. Are there any other species from the genus of Microsorum besides pteropus that would do good in aquariums?

[link=http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week103.shtml]http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week103.shtml" style="COLOR: #FFFFFF[/link]

Appears to be a more vascular plant then the more common microsorums known as java ferns (about 4 varieties common in the aquarium: regular, lace, tropica, undulata) More maan made 'cultivated' strains will probably hit the market, starting with Tropica.

I wouldn't be surprised if it would prosper underwater or in a terrarium.. I think 50/50 chance.. But I suspect it would have been done by Tropica if it was possible. But maybe you'd be the first to try

This plant would look quite interesting in it's 'aquatic' form if it does adapt.. I WOULD TRY. Ask the store guy if you can snip off a couple pieces of the rhizome then float them in your tank until you see growth, then plant, get a healthy leaf too and push half of it into the gravel, see if the leaf grows any plantlets.

Or put in a terrarium first and let it adapt to more humid conditions over time, then half the rhizome into the water, half in soil, bog plant style. Eventually submerse.
Good luck !!

ps - I'd have this plant in my home, simply because it's related to the java ferns in my tank. Maybe I wouldn't kill it..

The Amazon Nut...

Microsorum musifolium
Plant Type: Fern
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse
Description: Fronds broad, undivided from a creeping rhizome. The veins are sunken and darker than the leaves.
Origin: South Africa
Foliage: Yes
Flowering: No
Fragrant: No
Growing Ease: Requires extra care
Temperature: 50-75°F, 10-24°C
Humidity: High humidity

http://www.plantcare.com/catalog/tepPlantPage.php?PlantId=219&urlSQL=+where+EntryLabels.SortEntryLabel+LIKE+%27M%25%27+&TotalOffset=97&TotalNum=203&PHPSESSID=3dfe96386971b6fe09515dc53669086e]http://www.plantcare.com/catalog/tepPlantPage.php?PlantId=219&urlSQL=+where+EntryLabels.SortEntryLabel+LIKE+%27M%25%27+&TotalOffset=97&TotalNum=203&PHPSESSID=3dfe96386971b6fe09515dc53669086e[/link][link=http://www.plantcare.com/catalog/tepPlantPage.php?PlantId=219&urlSQL=+where+EntryLabels.SortEntryLabel+LIKE+%27M%25%27+&TotalOffset=97&TotalNum=203&PHPSESSID=3dfe96386971b6fe09515dc53669086e

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright