Java Fern - what is the deal with this stuff???

[jjohnwm]

Everybody knows that Java Fern is one of those basic bullet-proof can't-fail staples in the aquarium world...right? So why can I simply not keep the stuff?

I'm not a plant guy; don't use CO2, fertilizers (aside from the occasional root tabs) or any specialied lighting, but have pretty good success with many of the "easy" plants, i.e. Vals, Sags, Swords, Hornwort, Guppy Grass, Anubias...but Java Fern always gradually wastes away into a tangle of fibrous roots. Minimal care, I know, but if these others can survive and grow like that...why not "easy" Java Fern? I've read tons of stuff on the plant, my slightly-alkaline and fairly-hard water seems perfect for it...what gives?

I just saw a YouTube video and the guy claims that the problem is a lack of nutrients. He says that other faster-growing plants are outcompeting the fern...but he also claims that I should be shooting for a nitrate level of 30ppm! I change water...a lot...so as to never get anywhere near that level; not about to change the way I do things in what I consider a negative direction for the sake of one miserable species of plant. I can't seem to insert the link, but...is the guy for real? He talks a good game...

I really want to make this work, partially because I want a tough plant that is unattractive to vegetarian fish, and partially because I have had this problem for well over 30 years now and it's getting embarrassing. Any comments or advice appreciated.

 

[Milingu]

I talked to a commercial plant breeder about this issue because all my attempts with java fern failed.
There seem to be two common reasons.
1. Is some disease. I forgot if it's a virus or bacteria. Sometimes the plant recovers and grows back healthy, but often it just slowly dies.
2. Is lack of nutrients - mostly potassium

 

[Dutchaj]

I seem to have a lot better growth on the plantlets that I propagate from the plants I purchase. I run a low tech tank and just do a half the recommended dose weekly of a liquid fertilizer.

here is the initial planting and 8 months later, maybe 1x/month for 4-5 months I harvested plantlets and glued them to empty spots

 

[Deadeye]

They never seemed to grow well for me either, some new growth but mostly will just wilt away.
I never did anything special, back when I attempted a planted tank that required dosing, it didn’t seem to help them at all. I remember hearing the same from tlindsey - they just die off (or at least never thrive).
I may try again but the only tank I would add them to has a wolf who doesn’t like my hand.

 

[Fishman Dave]

My parents had a 3ft tank of fancy goldfish for years and the stuff grew like a weed in there. Bunches of the stuff pulled out monthly almost 18” tall, rhizomes/roots galore. Grew all over if they let it and they would if they could still see the fish. Water changes were almost none existent but the fluval 3 internal filter was cleaned out weekly by washing it in the sink under the tap.
Everything was wrong but both the fish and the plants thrived.
Every time they pulled a load out I took it, put it in my tanks and within a month it was dying back, disintegrating almost before my eyes.
I have just come to believe that it’s one of those plants that you kill with kindness.

 

[jjohnwm]

Thanks for the responses; it's nice to learn that I am not the only brown-thumb aquarist out there.

I have indeed read in several places that potassium is key, so I may try a liquid fertilizer that provides this element. Must admit that I find it difficult to believe that in several homes spread across two provinces, with fairly diverse water parameters...I have never had water adequate for this so-called "unkillable" plant, while multiple other species thrive with a level of care that borders on neglect.

The disease thing is, of course, possible...but again, did this mysterious malady follow me around the country, killing off Java Fern everywhere I tried to grow it? Don't think so.

Back in the 1980's, there was an article in the wonderful Freshwater and Marine Aquarist (FAMA) magazine, written by a respected breeder of bettas. He had a regular monthly column, and he devoted one of his columns to Java Fern. A typical betta guy, he had umpteen zillion small jars, bowls and other containers housing individual cranky little fish; he detailed how he casually tossed a sprig of JF into each one and the dang things just grew, while providing some cover for the fish and aiding water quality at the same time. He made the stuff sound utterly foolproof, requiring no care or attention whatsoever, able to live anywhere under any conditions. I read that column...and then I thumbed open a small Pet Library paperback I had which contained an illustration of a magnificent Java Fern...and thus began my descent into madness.

I don't know how many times in the ensuing decades I have bought a JF plant...or a couple, or several, or on one occasion over a dozen...only to watch them sloooooowly deteriorate into oblivion. I wasn't just killing them...I was obviously torturing them to death. I'm certain that I have single-handedly slaughtered 200 JF plants. My plants do exactly what the ones shown in the post by D Dutchaj are doing...except in my case you need to reverse the order of the pics...

Like I said earlier...it's embarrassing...

 

[fishhead0103666]

I’ve managed to kill Java fern, Java moss, and even duckweed so you’re not alone