Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have seen several people with plantings of the lemon button fern (Nephrolepis cordata 'duffi') in their terrariums. I, too, planted one in my terrarium when I first set it up--a great looking plant (and the $2-$4 you can pick them up for makes it even more attractive). However, mine seems to be going through a bit of a decline now (after about 6 months of strong growth).

It has sent runners EVERYWHERE through the tank, and is actually starting new plantlets from some of the runners. Has anyone seen this type of behavior, or are their original plants fuller than ever? I really like the plant, and would hate to lose it.

Thanks,
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

What you are experiencing is perfectly normal. I have a large specimen in one of my tanks and there are runners coming from it in all directions....some even growing on the sides of the glass. If you don't want the fern to spread, you an remove the small plants and replant them elsewhere.

-Bill J
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Updated list as of: 9/30/03
2.2.6 D. azureus
1.2.14 D. ventrimaculatus 'yellow' (16 tads in the water)
2.3 D. tinctorius 'cobalt' (one subadult)
0.0.3 D. tinctorius 'patricia'
0.0.5 D. auratus 'green/black' (tads)
0.0.3 D. imitator 'Alex Sens line' (1 week)
0.0.2 D. reticulatus (soon)
0.0.2 D auratus 'teal'(soon)

I'm not really concerned about the spreading habit, I'm more concerned about the apparent decline of the parent plant. Do the parent plants tend to go into decline after a number of new clones are produced? I'm wondering if perhaps the parent plant has grown its roots down into the false bottom and is unhappy with constantly wet feet--not that I'm going to tear the tank apart to find out.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense