Narrow Leaf Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow Leaf')
is a hardy, slow-growing, epiphytic aquatic plant ideal for beginners.
It thrives in low-to-moderate light, attaching to driftwood or rocks
with the rhizome above the substrate. It prefers temperatures of
68–82°F, pH 6.0–8.0, and requires minimal maintenance, often thriving on water column nutrients alone.
Optimal Care Guidelines:
- Planting:
Do not bury the rhizome (the thick, horizontal stem) in substrate, or
it will rot. Use fishing line, cotton thread, or super glue gel to
attach it to hardscape.
- Lighting: Thrives in low-to-moderate light. Too much light can cause algae to grow on its slow-growing leaves.
- Water Parameters: Highly adaptable; works in temperatures from 68–82°F (18–28°C) and pH 5.0–8.0.
- Nutrients/CO2: Does not require CO2, though it may grow faster with it. Moderate liquid fertilization helps support growth.
- Maintenance:
Generally maintenance-free. If leaves become covered in algae or
damaged, they can be trimmed, but the plant does not repair old leaves
quickly.
- Propagation:
New "baby" plants will grow on the tips of old leaves. Once they
develop roots, they can be plucked and attached to a new surface.
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