Does Java fern actually NEED to attach to something to stay healthy? I ask because its easier and more aesthetically pleasing for my setup to just bunch a few together and wedge them between driftwood in gaps between manzanita branches. Does doing it this way hurt anything? It's been in there for a couple of months and not attached but is staying put just fine and not floating up on me. Thanks
Java Fern
- Thread starter Louie13
- Start date
The thing here is the Rhizome. Java fern stems/leaves grows from a Rhizome and its roots grow from the Rhizome. If you bury the Rhizome it will rot. But you can bury the roots and leave the Rhizome uncovered and the plant will still flourish. I have done this in the past with gravel tanks. The roots over time will attach themselves the the substrate while the Rhizome continues to grow above the substrate.
Thanks. Just to clarify, I'm not planting them into the substrate(root or rhyzome). They are both in elevated positions amongs the manzanita branches. Just that instead of using string or glue to attach them, I'm just wedging them into gaps to keep them in place.
Louie13;5047955; said:
no I don't believe they don't have to be attached. I have 2 large java ferns that just sit on the bottom of my tank and they grow fine.