{"product_id":"small-philippine-java-fern","title":"Small Philippine Java Fern","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Philippine Java Fern is a broad-leaved selection of the classic bulletproof epiphyte. Tie the rhizome to wood or rock and it asks for almost nothing — no substrate, no CO2, no fuss. This is the small portion, ideal for nano tanks and for spreading through a hardscape a piece at a time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJava fern grows on rocks and logs along streams and waterfalls throughout South-East Asia, often part-submerged where it can grow both under and above the waterline. The 'Philippine' form is a cultivated selection with longer, textured leaves. In the aquarium it simply needs something to cling to and gentle, well-oxygenated water — it does not want its rhizome buried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLeathery, strap-like leaves rise from a creeping green rhizome, the Philippine form showing a distinctive quilted or hammered texture along the blade. A mature plant reaches around 15–30 cm tall over time. As the small portion supplied, expect a modest cluster of leaves that will slowly enlarge and multiply once attached and settled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement and Aquascaping\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA midground epiphyte for attaching to driftwood, branches and stone. Never bury the rhizome in substrate — it will rot; only the roots and attachment point should touch the hardscape. Position it where it gets some shade if light is strong, and give it room, as leaves lengthen with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTie the rhizome to wood or rock with cotton thread or fishing line, or use a dab of cyanoacrylate gel; within weeks the roots grip on their own and the thread can be removed. It propagates two ways: divide the rhizome once it has several growing points, and collect the tiny daughter plantlets (adventitious plants) that form on older leaf tips and edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThrives in low to moderate light; strong light without shade can encourage algae on the slow-growing leaves. CO2 is not required, though it speeds growth. Feeding is minimal — a little liquid fertiliser in the water column is plenty, as it draws nutrients through its leaves and roots rather than from substrate. Comfortable at 20–28 °C across a wide pH and hardness range. Growth is slow, so be patient and keep algae in check.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMicrosorum pteropus 'Philippine'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhilippine Java Fern\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth-East Asia (cultivated selection)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEpiphyte (attach to wood\/rock), midground\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to Moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCO2 Requirement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid fertiliser (water column)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to hard (2–20 °dGH)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropagation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRhizome division \u0026amp; leaf-tip plantlets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginners, low-tech tanks, nano aquariums, hardscape\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the few plants tough enough for goldfish, and equally at home with cichlids, community fish, shrimp and snails — its leathery, slightly bitter leaves are generally left alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery few concerns. Avoid burying the rhizome, keep persistent leaf-nibblers like some large plecos or silver dollars in mind, and remove any melting older leaves promptly so new growth takes over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian-grown aquarium plants for in-store collection or local delivery. Sold sizes\/portions reflect what we stock; anything shown as sold out will return as we restock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234106065187,"sku":"AA2688","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/small-philippine-java-fern-43078167855395-v2.webp?v=1790321589","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/small-philippine-java-fern","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}