Growing Microsorum sp. from the leaves

Microsorum pteropus or Java fern is a popular undemanding aquarium plant. There are many varieties of this plant in the hobby, some are quite expensive and difficult to obtain. It is a slow growing plant so if you have a small amount and would like to multiply it quickly, this is one of the ways to do it.

First you need to cut off the older leaves of the plant. To tie them down, you can use a rock or a piece of stainless steel wire mesh:

Arrange the leaves parallel, next to each other and tie them to a stone or mesh with fishing line so that the underside of the leaf is facing up:

Black spots or circular bumps that develop on the undersides of the leaves are sporangia (reproductive organs). From them new plants will be born.

Now put the tied leaves into the aquarium and wait. After 3-4 weeks you will see plenty of plantlets:

The plantlets are big enough and can be detached from the old leaves:

They can be glued to the hardscape with gel type super glue. From each plantlet new plant will grow:

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