Dying Java Ferns?

**labnjab** · 09-01-2008, 09:39 PM

Shortly after posting an earlier thread about low light plants and ferts, I took a good look at my java ferns and there are some areas I'm concerened about and I've circled them in the pictures

In the first picture a few of the leaves have several raised black spots that weren't there when i got them.

The rest of the pictures show spots that are turning yellowish brown.

Am I doing something wrong or is there a nutirent missing? Should we not be using the aerator during the day? These are in our 55 community. I have 1.45 wpg using a shoplight with double aquarium/ plants bulbs. I also dose with flora pride once a week during water changes. All other plants look great, bright green and have been growing steadly (annubus and bananna plants). I'm still very new at keeping plants and thanks for any help.

edit: We leave the lights on for 12 hours a day

**country_boy454** · 09-02-2008, 12:29 AM

The first pic shows the plant trying to reproduce by using spores. That is a good sign. The other pic looks as if maybe it has an iron deficiency. I dont add any ferts to my 40 hex and my java fern, moss, and anubias barteri are growing great under less than 0.5 wpg! Still working on getting a lighting structure worked out for it!

Is your java fern attached to some driftwood or a rock or is it planted in the substrate? If it is in the substrate make sure the rhizome isn't buried or it will rot.

**labnjab** · 09-02-2008, 01:43 AM

Its all attached to driftwood, what do the rhizomes look like for future reference? The annubus and bananna are in the substrate.

**country_boy454** · 09-02-2008, 09:22 AM

The rhizome is the harder green part that the roots and the stems to the leaves grow out of. On the anubias it will be fairly fat. The anubias rhizome is the same way. If it gets planted in the substrate it will rot and die.

The rhizome is pointed out by arrows here.

**labnjab** · 09-02-2008, 09:46 PM

Thanks for the pic and info, I don't have those covered up and their not burried on the annubus. Hopefully their health will improve soon.

**Alfcea** · 09-02-2008, 10:46 PM

Hi,

The first picture is definitely a good sign. The plant is having babies! Some new plants will start sprouting off those black spots that you see... It is actually a very interesting way of reproducing the species! Do not worry.

The second picture looks like the leaves are dying. Do not worry about this either, though. I have have that in the past too, but if the rhizomes are sprouting new leaves and the roots are growing, it won't be a problem. You can cut off the brown leaves and you will be fine, provided the rhizomes are still green and the roots look healthy.

**labnjab** · 09-02-2008, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by alfcea

Hi,

The first picture is definitely a good sign. The plant is having babies! Some new plants will start sprouting off those black spots that you see... It is actually a very interesting way of reproducing the species! Do not worry.

The second picture looks like the leaves are dying. Do not worry about this either, though. I have have that in the past too, but if the rhizomes are sprouting new leaves and the roots are growing, it won't be a problem. You can cut off the brown leaves and you will be fine, provided the rhizomes are still green and the roots look healthy.

i just took a look under the dying ones and it does look like some new leaves are forming and the rhizomes are green for the most part, so next water change I'll trim the brown ones. Thanks for the info.

I'm glad they are reproducing, that means free plants for the goldfish tank, provided they don't eat them