Ferns Are Not Hard To Raise

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30924, 3 December 1965, Page 8

Ferns Are Not Hard To Raise

Ferns have many uses and their value as an ornamental lies in several directions, both inside and outside in the garden.

They can be raised without too much trouble either by division of their rhizomatous root or by means of spores, which are collected in late summer and early autumn. Spores are produced in some cases in lines or dots on the underside, and sometimes the margins, of the fronds and one has to go at the right time to collect them before the spore case has burst open, in which case the very fine seed will have already been

blown away. The spore-bearing frond should be cut off and cut into

half inch pieces. These should be laid spore side down on specially prepared sterilised soil. In time the spore will fall out and the frond can be removed. Placed In Bags Alternatively the fronds can be placed in bags and stored in a dry warm place until the dust-like spores have fallen out. These can then be scattered on the rooting medium.

After sowing the seed should be covered by a fine layer of brick dust and the pots placed in pans of water, the tops being covered with small glass panes. Overhead watering should not be contemplated until the leaves are visible but the soil should never be allowed to dry out. Keep in a shady position and somewhere where an even warm temperature around 75-80 deg. F. can be maintained.

The prethalli will emerge in about two to three weeks under correct conditions and more light and some overhead watering can then be given.

After the emergence of the young fronds the plants can be pricked off into individual pots containing composted soil.