1. Introduction
【Child】 Professor, I’ve often found solace in the words of the poet Basho, who said, “Learn about the pine from the pine, and the bamboo from the bamboo.” Do aquatic plants also have something to teach us?
【Professor】 Ah, young one, your depth of thought never fails to impress and delight me. Indeed, just as Basho urged us to learn from the natural world, I believe that aquatic plants also offer us unique lessons on beauty and resilience. In our discussion today, we shall explore one such fascinating aquatic plant, Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv.’ With its stunning appearance and intriguing characteristics, I believe you shall find this aquatic plant quite enchanting.
2. Characteristics
【Child】 Professor, this Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv’ seems like an ethereal being, a character straight out of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. What makes it stand out, and what role can it play in the enchanted aquatic world that it inhabits?
【Professor】 Ha! Your artistic flair brings the ‘Windeløv’ to life before our eyes, indeed. This aquatic fern is known for its beautiful, dark-green, wavy leaves with finely branched tips, giving it a feather-like appearance. Imagine Titania’s palace decorated with these delicate fronds, and you have the essence of Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv.’
This versatile plant can be used in aquariums of all sizes. It can become the shining centrepiece in the foreground of smaller tanks or an elegant member of a serene underwater forest background in larger ones. When properly planted and tended to, this fern can reach a height of up to 30 cm, creating a captivating underwater landscape.
3. Cultivation
【Child】 I wonder, is the cultivation of this plant akin to the careful nurturing of a bonsai tree or the wild, unfettered growth of a hedgerow rose? Who can tame and tend to Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv,’ and by what means?
【Professor】 Your comparisons are most exquisite. The Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv’ is rather easygoing in nature and thus suitable for aquarists at any level. It is not as demanding as a bonsai tree, yet not quite as wild as a hedgerow rose.
This fern thrives best when attached to rocks or driftwood, allowing it to spread its rhizomes and create a vivid tapestry of green on these surfaces. Moderate lighting and temperatures between 22 to 28°C are ideal. The ‘Windeløv’ prefers a pH of 5 to 8, a GH of up to 30, and a kH of 1 to 15. It benefits from bottom sand and fertilizer enriched substrates to ensure optimal growth, but requires less attention to CO2 levels than many of its aquatic counterparts.
Propagation methods of Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv’ include breaking off and replanting the rhizomes when grown underwater or by dividing the plants above water, ensuring that each segment has a few leaves.
4. Precautions
【Child】 To evoke the Romantic poet Keats, does the ‘Windeløv’ dance in “Sheer plenitude of hidden life” undisturbed by other creatures, or must we protect it as we would Juliet secluded within her garden walls?
【Professor】Your eloquent musings touch upon the fact that Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv,’ while sturdy, does require a certain level of consideration within the aquarium. The ‘Windeløv’ is a peaceful cohabitant with many aquatic creatures and, with proper care, can thrive in their presence.
However, one must avoid snails and crayfish, who may view this elegant fern as a delectable gourmet treat rather than the objet d’art it truly is. Additionally, take care not to bury its rhizomes, as doing so may cause them to rot, cutting short the grand, green sonnet that the ‘Windeløv’ should sing in its prime.
5. Summary
【Child】In contemplating the ‘Windeløv,’ I see so many layers of beauty and artistic composition. This aquatic wonder has been crafted by the greatest artist of all, Nature.
【Professor】 Ah, dear child, how wonderfully you encapsulate the essence of this lovely plant. Microsorum pteropus ‘Windeløv,’ with its captivating appearance and resilient growth, can teach us all how to appreciate and nurture the natural beauty around us. By understanding this aquatic plant’s unique characteristics, proper cultivation methods, and potential precautions, we can enjoy the serene splendor of the underwater realm that it enlivens.
May you and the ‘Windeløv’ find harmony and inspiration in your shared, artistic existence.