Java fern 'Windeløv'
Leptochilus pteropus 'Windeløv'
Origin: Tropical and subtropical South-East Asia. According to English Wikipedia — mainly Malaysia, Thailand, north-eastern India and parts of South China; Tetra adds the island of Java. In the wild it grows fully or partially submerged, attached to riparian roots and rocks; according to Tetra, even in fast-flowing rivers and on the slopes of waterfalls.
Also known as: Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv'
Fact sheet
- Height
- 20 cm
- Temperature
- 23–26 °C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness GH
- 5–20 °dH
- Lighting
- Low
- CO₂
- Not needed
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- On wood or rock, Midground
Overview
A patented cultivar named after Tropica's founder Holger Windeløv. A hardy, easy plant for beginners and experienced aquarists alike; grows best on a stone or root, with the rhizome left uncovered.
Appearance
The leaf tips are finely branched, giving a crested, antler-like look. It grows 15–20 cm tall and wide (Tropica).
Care
Shared with the species: Java fern
- Placement: suits tropical tanks of almost any size; best in the midground or along the sides, large rosettes can be a focal point.
- Planting: tie the rhizome to rock or driftwood with fishing line or cotton thread, or glue it, until it takes hold. Do not bury the rhizome in the substrate — it will rot; substrate type does not matter.
- Light: grows in almost any light and tolerates shade; best growth in moderate to strong light. Photoperiod 8–12 hours.
- CO2: not needed; liquid carbon (e.g. Tetra CO2 Plus) helps but is optional.
- Temperature: 23–26 °C.
- Water: pH 6.5–7.5, hardness 5–20 °dH; can be grown in tap water.
- Maintenance: dislikes frequent water changes — 20% every 7–14 days is enough. Frequent trimming is not needed.
Difficulty: a very easy, hardy plant (Tropica: "Easy"), suitable for beginners.
Fertilizing
Shared with the species: Java fern
Roots are weak, so the fern takes most nutrients through its leaves. Liquid fertilisers containing potassium and iron (e.g. Tetra PlantaMin) are important.
According to English Wikipedia, it grows better with higher fish loads.
Breeding
Shared with the species: Java fern
- Rhizome division: cut sections with 2–3 leaves from the mother plant and attach them elsewhere.
- Plantlets on leaves: small plantlets with their own roots form on the tips and margins of mature leaves. They can be carefully removed and tied to wood; if the mother leaf dies first, the plantlet floats away until it attaches somewhere new.
Fun facts
Shared with the species: Java fern
- The dark dots under the leaves are sporangia, not a disease, as many believe.
- Java fern entered the hobby a little over 50 years ago (Tetra).
- Why fish avoid eating it is not established: perhaps its tough leaves or bitter compounds in the leaf cells.
- According to English Wikipedia, it is more snail-resistant than many plants.