Overgrown Java Fern

VerdantGrotto

I have a Java Fern in my tank that is taking over the tank, It is dominating about half of the tank and will be encroaching on my Anubias soon. It is making it difficult for my Angel to swim around (It is a 10 Gallon Tank)...

Before I get into trouble, I know the tank is too small for an angel. This tank is a starter and will be replaced in the coming holidays (At which point the 10G will become a QT/Hospital). I will be acquiring a 55 Gallon in about a month.

At any rate, The Java fern looked wonderful and fit nicely when i planted it into the tank. After some fertilizing and probably too much light time... The thing has taken over!

So my Question is How do i cull this thing back? Can I cut off one of the entire leaf shoots without killing the entire plant? Should i use scissors to do this? Any suggestions welcome

Thanks in advance for the help!

Geomancer

You can cut the rhizome anywhere, as long as there are a few leaves left you're fine.

You can divide it up into several new plants if you want.

I have one that's getting quite large too in my 20g, a few in my 125g show promise as well of getting huge.

redchigh

Here is a tip- cut the rhizome (the long "stem" that all the leaves come out of). As long as you leave over an inch And a minimum of 3 full-sized leaves, the pieces will survive. Don't throw them away though!

Post in the classifieds section, someone will surely pay shipping on them...
(Points to green text below )

VerdantGrotto

Thanks for the Help.

I will be cleaning this plant up soon but will probably be taking the "Daughter Plants" to my local fish store. I've got a friend there that is ordering some Celestial Pearl Danios (Hopefully).

redchigh

Okies, well to avoid confusion, you trim off 'adult plants', the small plants that form on leaves are called 'daughter plants'.