Write an article based on this "Place a fern that's attached to driftwood into your tank. Let an unattached fern float freely, if desired. Secure an unattached rhizome with thread or plastic ties. Try using super glue gel instead. Don't plant Java fern into substrate."
If you buy a Java fern at a pet shop or even order it online, it will often come pre-attached to a small piece of driftwood. In this case, you can simply place the fern and driftwood into your aquarium as-is, since Java ferns grow best when attached to driftwood or stone. Often, the fern will be attached to the wood with a thin thread that should dissolve over time in the water. The root system of the Java fern will hold it in place. If you buy a Java fern that isn't pre-attached to driftwood, you may want to attach it to something yourself. However, you can choose to let if float freely in your aquarium instead. If you simply drop it in the water, it will either grow while floating or attach to something in the tank on its own. Either way, it will probably grow just fine! The Java fern has a simple plant structure: the long, thin leaves and the stringy, numerous roots sprout out from a dense rhizome. Wrap thread or fishing line around the rhizome and the attaching object (e.g., rock or driftwood) several times, or use a zip tie or two to secure them together. After you attach the rhizome to a rock or piece of wood, the roots will eventually secure the fern to the object with a strong bond. Unless you're using a dissolving thread, you should remove the binding object (e.g., fishing line or zip tie) once the roots gain a firm hold on the rock or wood. Otherwise, the fern's growth may be impeded. If you're sure you want to permanently bond a Java fern to a particular object, you can glue it with a super glue gel rated for underwater applications. You might, for instance, run a thin bead of super glue gel to the object (e.g., piece of driftwood), then press the Java fern rhizome to it and hold it securely for 30 seconds. Read the product packaging carefully so that you get the right kind of glue and apply it properly. Because the glue doesn't wrap around the rhizome like zip ties or fishing line do, the rhizome (and fern) can continue to grow without restriction. In the case of Java fern, "planting" does not mean burying the roots beneath soil, substrate, or pebbles. In fact, if you don't leave the roots exposed, they will quickly rot away and the plant will die. Attach your Java fern to driftwood, a rock, or possibly a decorative piece in your aquarium, or even let it float freely. Just don't literally "plant" it!