Java Fern (alle varianten)
Microsorum pteropus spp.
🌍 Southeast Asia
Common CO₂ Optional Diff.: ★★★
📏 Midground/Background — on wood/stone
📈 Slow
Most used fern in the hobby. 10+ variants: Standard, Narrow Leaf, Needle Leaf (rarest and most sought-after), Windelov (split leaf tips), Trident, Trident Mini, Philippine (ribbed), Fishtail, Flaming (strongly wavy), Coral. Black spots on leaf underside are sporangia — NORMAL, not disease. Rhizome NEVER buried.
⚗️ Water parameters
🪨 Hardscape — NEVER bury rhizome
🇳🇱 Dutch Style
Classic hardscape fern for Dutch style accent. Needle Leaf = most wanted variant.
💡 Tips
- Rhizome NEVER buried
- Black spots = sporangia — NORMAL, not disease
- Needle Leaf = rarest and most wanted
- Philippine has unique ribbed leaf
- Windelov = most decorative with split leaf tips
- Attach with thread, glue, or rubber bands
- CO₂ greatly accelerates growth
🔍 Problems
⚠ Leaves turn black
→ Too much direct strong light
⚠ No new leaves
→ Fe deficiency or insufficient nutrition
Bolbitis heudelotii (Difformis)
Bolbitis heudelotii (Fée) Alston
🌍 Central Africa · Congo riverbanks
Uncommon CO₂ Optional Diff.: ★★★
📏 Midground/Background — on wood/stone
📈 Slow
Dark green glossy fern with elegant pinnately divided leaves up to 50cm. Requires GOOD water flow — stagnant water = rot. Bolbitis heteroclita difformis is mini variant with smaller leaves. Grows slowly but spectacular result.
⚗️ Water parameters
🪨 Hardscape — NEVER bury rhizome
🇳🇱 Dutch Style
Darkest fern in Dutch style. Difformis is mini variant. Flow required.
💡 Tips
- Good water flow ESSENTIAL — stagnant water = rot
- Rhizome NEVER buried
- Difformis = mini variant with smaller leaves
- CO₂ accelerates slow growth
- Darkest green fern available
🔍 Problems
⚠ Rhizome rots
→ Insufficient water flow or rhizome buried
