how to encourage growth on Java Fern?

[Stlouisfish]

My 1 java fern which has been in my tank about 2 months has a few new leaves growing from its base and lots of fuzzy growth with mini leaves on its tips - is it a slow growing plant or can I trim some of it to encourage faster growth?

[dbosman]

Java Fern is a stealth plant. While you think little is going on it is sending out roots and building energy in the rhizome. Right after you forget about it for a couple of days it will burst out with new growth that will fill your tank.

The growths on the leaves are indeed mini plants. Plantlets that will get heavy enough that the leaf sinks to where they can root themselves. You can also pull the leaves off the plant and put some substrate on the base of the leaf to hold it in a different part of your tank. One or more of the plantlets will root and start a new java fern colony.