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can some1 post a pic of really old java ferns, i have a few ferns(maybe java) my question is do java ferns grow really large, these plants are tall, and large. the go from the bottom of a ten to the top+.

Don't have pics but yesJava Ferns can get very large.

I've seen some about 18" tall.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Easily.
I have a new java in my 20, almost reaches the top but it's only been in for a few weeks and is still recovering from a rather traumatic acclimation .
I was a bit busy .
I believe I've read that there are a few different varieties of java, not including types like lace. One is taller the other shorter....dunno if anyone has anything to back that up though.

^_^

[hr width='40%']"Put your soul in the water,
And join me for a swim tonight"

Windelov is more compact, thus rendering it perfect for smaller tanks.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 25-Apr-2005 00:06

My older Javas in my 10 reach almost to the top. They can get very big. Most of the bunches you will buy at an lfs are small babies. I was shocked at how small the two I bought yesterday were, since I'm used to my larges ones.

Cup_of_Lifenoodles- I disagree about the Windelov's being small and compact, for the most part. Way back on X-mas Eve of 2004(about 4 months ago) i bought a huge lace java fern(Microsorum windelov) motherplant at my local petco for $10. It had huge leaves(about 1 ft. tall). Since then all of those leaves have died off, probably because they werent in the best condition to begin with. I only bought it for the huge rhizome it had. The new leaves are now 6+in. tall. They are still growing a little though.

Windelovs and narrow leafs are used in professional miniature aquascapes, as, on a whole, they tend to grow smaller than your average pterop.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 25-Apr-2005 00:06

Clownloachfan,

There is actually a Lace Fern which is not Wendelov, sounds like the one you have. The lace Fern is a brighter green and does get very large, it's one of the bigger ferns. I agree with Noodles, Wendelov is a darker green and generally stays a lot smaller and more compact then most ferns.

In answer to Babels question, yes there is quite a variety in Fern sizes and shapes. The Wendelov variety was discovered relatively recently and pretty much by accident, it was thought to be a mutant of normal fern. I've seen some locally (here in Java itself ) that is quite surprising, almost like a sword plant, the leaves were long and thinner then usual but on an incredibly long stem/petiole. Each leaf was about 18" long and about 50% stem 50% leaf

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

http://www.tropica.com/productcard.asp?id=008B
Look there. I think it was quite large because it was probably greenhouse grown. I think greenhouse grown plants tend to be alot bigger than what they will be in an actual aquarium. After all, java ferns do grow better in an emersed enviroment just like they do in the wild.
website
http://www.tropica.com/default.asp[href][href]

Last edited by clownloachfan at 25-Apr-2005 14:44

Last edited by clownloachfan at 25-Apr-2005 14:46

We are all familiar with tropica.com. 7" is small (and that is it's reputed "maximum size", according to tropica) when keeping in mind "normal" pteropus can grow up and over a foot in height. IME with the microsorum, growth is muffled whence the plant is placed out of water. Generally speaking, the emersed growth process is to rid oneself of the fear of algal growth, not necessarily for an acceleration in growth.


Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 25-Apr-2005 23:23