To decorate the aquarium into something extraordinary, you are required to be more creative. Starting from the process of selecting the type of fish, the color of the lights, filters, to the decorations inside. And one way to decorate the most often chosen is to put water ornamental plants into it.
For example, Java Fern. This ornamental plant has a Latin name in the form of Microsorum Pteropus. For now, the Java Fern plant is still the prima donna, because it is often used by many people. This is because it has many advantages. One of them is the ease of the maintenance process. To be clear, let's discuss about Java Fern in depth.
Get to know Java Fern
This Java Fern ornamental plant belongs to the Polypodiaceae family, originally from Southeast Asia. The genus itself consists of more than 50 species. This plant grows on rocks, or around trees that have water. Examples include waterfalls and rivers. Interestingly, it can grow perfectly in water, or only partially.
The important point is in the 'moist place' huh. Where, it can live in humid places, or in contact with water. Very flexible. Did you know that it turns out that Java Fern has several types. Well, to find out the types, even if you read this article to the end, because we will discuss several types.
Java fern is one of the ornamental water plants that is easy to care for. And does not require any special care. The most important thing you can pay attention to is only in terms of lighting. Make sure, that this plant gets enough light. Alright, that's all. Because it turns out, this cool plant can grow beyond the size of your aquarium if it's too small.
So, we recommend using an aquarium that is not so small, so that the leaves do not exceed the size of your aquarium. Good lighting for this ornamental plant is a lamp that is not so bright. This is because when you use very bright lights, you can damage the leaves, and even damage the trees. Instead of making it thrive, it's the other way around.
Of course you don't want this to happen, do you? So, make sure to choose the right lighting, namely lights that are not so bright. Especially considering that in fact, the habitat of this one plant does not get much light, because it grows among other plants.
so, when it suddenly gets too much light it will make the leaves slowly turn brown, which will eventually become transparent. The power of the lamp that you can use is at least between 1.5 to 2 watts for each gallon containing 3.7 liters of water.
In addition to paying attention to the lights, you also need to pay attention to nutrition and CO2. Because after all, both are the needs of every plant, yes. With the presence of nutrients and CO2, it will definitely make your Java Fern grow faster than one that does not get both. Even so, this one ornamental plant can still live without both. It's just that the growth will definitely be much slower. If you want to provide nutritional intake, it is better if you provide nutrition in liquid form.
This is because if you provide nutrients in the form of fertilizer, it will definitely not have much impact on the Java Fern. Because he will take the existing nutrients directly from the water. This plant is very suitable for beginners.
Because of that, there is no special treatment that you have to do. For example, cutting leaves regularly. Yes, although actually, this will depend on your taste. However, due to its relatively slow growth, there is almost no cutting tone. The height itself can be up to 35 cm, and that height is the maximum height. So, it's really worth it to be applied to various sizes. But don't use a small aquarium, because it is certain that the leaves will reach the size of your aquarium.
Types of Java Fern
As mentioned earlier, this water ornamental plant has various types. Here are some of them.
Java Fern Needle Leaf
The first type is 'needle leaf'. This type is a plant with a leaf size that is relatively smaller when compared to the others. No wonder he was named the 'needle'. Which if we interpret it means a needle. And if you look closely, then it will look like a bunch of needles. The height itself can reach 15 cm. If the problem is the shape itself, it's definitely very interesting. You can imagine how unique long needles would be if they were put together and collected. It will definitely display a 'wow' form.
Windelov
This type is considered the strangest type of Java Fern. Know why? Yes, because it only has one leaf. Where, the leaves will soar.
However, it still has a small branch at each end of the leaf. So it can be said like a finger that many. Besides being weird, of course the shape is also quite unique. This type of one can grow up to 20 cm.
Narrow leaf
The next type is Narrow Leaf. Java Fern Narrow Leaf is generally the same as other types. What distinguishes it is only in terms of the size of the leaves. Generally, this Java Fern leaf is in the range of 15 to 20 cm, while the size of the Narrow Leaf is only 10 to 20 cm.
How to grow Java Fern
How to grow Java Fern? It's easy. You just need to attach this plant to the rocks using G glue. Just drop a few drops on the rock, then stick the plant. Or, you can also tuck the plants into between stones or wood. As simple as that. Then, you can wait for it to start growing. It's just that, you need to pay attention to some of the things we have explained above. One of them is the lighting and nutrition section.
Java Fern Price
The last part we will discuss is related to price. Until now, not a few people think that ornamental water plants that are easy to cultivate and do not require special care are plants with low prices. Of course, this opinion is not always true. Because once you know this Java Fern plant you will think the opposite. That not all plants that are easy to grow and do not require special care are expensive. For example, Java Fern. Where, you can get it at a very cheap price. The small price is just under Rp. 10,000, while when the plant gets bigger in size, the price will be higher. At least it reaches Rp. 80,000.
So about Java Fern. Let's immediately make your choice, and buy immediately. May be useful.