java

Question
QUESTION: hey, I have Java ferns in the tank. All are attached to wood. They've been in there 8 weeks and are...WERE....growing well and nice and green. As recently as 2 weeks ago all of them developed dark brown spots. Almost black spots. Nothing was added to the tank. I've been in this hobby 30 years so I know it nothing I did. The spots spread and then the leaf dies.  What the problem.  PH=6.9,   NH3=0000,   temp= 80,   Cichlids and gouramis

ANSWER: Hi  Wayne:  I found your question in the general pool and thought I'd give it a try.  There seems to be many theories floating around involving java ferns and the possibility that they spore.  Some have claimed that the black spots you have described are actually spore while others feel that they are a form of malnutrition.  Java Ferns will produce baby plants on their leaves and then release them by becoming brittle and soft so that water currents will carry the new plants farther along the current... then the parent plant begins to grow new leaves, etc. and the process continues.  This sounds to me to be the case... your plants put on some nice growth and then wilted back...is it possible that the plants are reproducing?  Two things come to mind... you can add a bit of plant fertilizer and see if it is malnutrition... I'd also add a bit more light to rule out a photosynthesis issue... The other thing to check is whether or not the plant has young attached to its leaves.... please keep me posted on your plants and their progress... dave

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QUESTION: hey there Dave, The tank is right beside the computer so lets see whats going on. I have a piece of wood with 3 branches to which I stapled (plastic staples) 4 plants. On those 4 alone there are...1, 3, 8, exactly 17 off-spring plants on the leaf tips. All those leaves are wilting. There are also a few very small new leaves growing on the parent plants. The new leaves on both parent and baby do not have black spots. Also in the tank is a stump from the yard, real cool looking stump. Funny thing about the stump is I found it in the firewood pile. I tried to explain the beauty of a good looking stump to the wife. She did not get the point. Anyway there are 3 plants on that. 2 are dead I think but the roots look healthy so I'm waiting for new leaves. The 3rd has no new growth at all and is wilting. Some leaves with roots have been floating around so I've been pushing those in the gravel. The odd thing is those in the gravel have lost the black spots and look better. Now I'm thinking maybe theres something in certain woods that causes it. The wood is Maple. I've been into aquarium 30 years....(this site removed me from their experts list because i didnt answer 15 questions. Couldnt my phone was shut off.) ....and I don't think its malnutrition because the Amazon and dwarf Lilies look great and with malnutrition do you think there would be so many off-spring? . I'm voting for the reproducing/ wilting/ regrowing theory. Wonder though, if the spots are spores I don't think they would spread & turn the entire leaf black???
   The Dwarf Lilies.....A recent find for me. Never had them before. Forget the name but its a dark bulb and grows redish leaves. Love this plant. The darn thing grows a new stem from bulb to surface (24") in 2 days. Crazy grower. I cut the bulb in half and they both grew find. I have to keep cutting the surface pads. The lower short leaves have gotten huge with some 10" across. Gorgeous plant. The African Cichlids don't eat it but sure do like relaxing among the stems.
      Question......how small can I cut the bulb? Can I keep cutting as long as there are roots attached to each piece?? I got it, NYMPHAEA SP. RUBRA is the name. Was told NOT to bury the bulb. I cut it in half and left one on gravel but buried the other. Both are doing fantastic. There are now 14 surface leaves and some have flower buds. Can I just keep cutting the bulb as long as theres roots? I'm going to remove the floating leaves soon. Just curious how the flowers look. The Java are NOT under the pads. Lighting is 12 hours/day. But I'll try the fertilizer.
  Is there anything else that grows very fast, and is green which Cichlids will NOT eat?
  Oh, and the Amazon is now flowering. Cooooooooooooool!!!!
wayne

Answer
Hi Wayne:  im wondering if you have a toxicity issue between plants or perhaps between fern and wood... a plant such as the amazon may be eating up...literally... all of the nutrients in the tank... the two may not be compatible... or the maple stump may still be leeching chemicals... as far a bulb division.... I would let the bulb recover before cutting it again... and then I would do more then quarter it... try one see if that works... you have to allow them to develope a good root structure before cutting... else they may not be able to produce enough nutrients to feed the plants... take it slow... dave