Variety of Java fern
Sunrise java fern
Leptochilus pteropus 'Sunrise'
One of 15 varieties of Leptochilus pteropus · See all varieties →
Also known as Microsorum pteropus 'Sunrise', Microsorum pteropus 'APC Sunrise', Java fern Sunrise
FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome divisionPlantlets
Varieties · Leptochilus pteropus
See all 15 →
Care at a glance
- Light
- Low light
- CO2
- No CO₂ needed
- Temperature
- 64–82°F
- 18–28°C
- Max height
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Epiphyte
- Type
- Rhizome
- pH
- 5.0–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- Spread
- 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Origin
- Cultivated form (exact origin unknown, sources name Thailand or Indonesia)
Overview
Sunrise java fern is a beginner java fern that grows on wood or rock rather than in the substrate. At up to about 30 cm, it suits the midground or the back of a small tank.
Did you know
The color on Sunrise java fern sits only on young leaves, which turn green as they harden. A plant shows the most orange while it is putting out new growth, and its jagged edge stays after the color fades.
Caring for Sunrise java fern
Attach Sunrise java fern to wood or rock with thread or glue, and keep the rhizome out of the substrate. A buried rhizome rots.
It grows in low light without CO2, but the orange on new leaves shows best under medium light. Plants kept dim can stay plain green. It feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better than root tabs.
Growth is slow, and it handles 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C). Plantlets form on the old leaves. Pull them off once they have three or four leaves, and tie them onto new wood. You can also divide the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each.
Good to know
Sunrise is a leaf form of java fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is now Leptochilus pteropus but sold as Microsorum pteropus 'Sunrise'. Its leaf edges are cut into short, jagged lobes and ruffles along their full length. New leaves open yellow, bronze or orange-red, strongest at the tips. Trident java fern has long, finger-like lobes instead, and Gold Sparkle, a similar colored form, stays smaller.
In the wild
Sunrise java fern is a nursery form of uncertain origin. A Thai grower sells it as 'APC Sunrise', which suggests the name started there, while some US shops give Indonesia as its source. The parent species, Leptochilus pteropus, clings to rocks and roots along shaded streams across Southeast Asia. It grows both above and below the waterline.
Common questions
Is Sunrise java fern a different species from java fern?
No. Sunrise java fern is a variety of java fern, Leptochilus pteropus, and it is grown the same way as the species.
Does Sunrise java fern need to be planted in the substrate?
No. Sunrise java fern grows attached to rock or wood, so tie or glue the rhizome in place. If you plant its roots, keep the rhizome above the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots.
Does Sunrise java fern need CO2?
No. Sunrise java fern grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.
How much light does Sunrise java fern need?
Sunrise java fern is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.
Does Sunrise java fern need root tabs?
No. Sunrise java fern feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better. Root tabs only help if its roots reach into the substrate.
How do you propagate Sunrise java fern?
Sunrise java fern propagates by rhizome division and plantlets. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots.
How tall does Sunrise java fern grow?
Sunrise java fern grows to about 11.8 in (30 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.