Propagation
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum moss or peat moss then cover with glass and keep moist. 4 to 6 weeks.

Transplant established plants or divide the rhizome. This may be difficult to do as they resent disturbance.


Botanic information
Leaf: The sterile glossy dark green fronds are long linear, ribbon-like and twisted with undulating margins and are up to 20 mm (ľ in) wide and may be forked towards the base.

Flower: The fertile pinnae produce a spike on a short peduncle that arises from the centre line of the frond and is up to 150 mm (6in) long with the sporangia arranged in 2-ranks along the thickened margin and appear during spring.

Fruit: The spores are produced in the sporangium during the sporophyte stage of the fern life cycle in rows on the back of the fertile frond. The spores are very small (like fine dust) and are released from the sori when mature.The spores are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced by transplanting.

FERNS
General cultural requirements for ferns
Temperature
The ideal temperature required for ferns ranges from 15.5ş to 22ş C (60ş to 70şF); above and below these temperatures the ferns tend to suffer.

Light
Naturally a fern receive bright dappled light and for successful growth around a home bright indirect light is preferred. Ferns do poorly if grown in the shade.

Water
Ferns require constantly moist, well drained soils but not wet or waterlogged as this promotes rot. Ferns like the water to pass by the roots regularly.

Humidity
Ferns need a humid environment and do poorly in dry air. Humidity may be maintained for potted plants by regular misting of the fronds or by placing the container above a saucer filled with water. In the outdoors maintain moist soils or in hot weather outside spray the area with a garden hose for a short period regularly.

Re-potting
Re-pot ferns when the roots have filled the container, preferable during spring and use a well drained loam based soil mix with added leaf mould. When planting, be careful not to bury the crown of the plant.
When fertilising, ferns prefer a little and regular liquid fertiliser during the growing period and this will improve pale fronds and weak growth.

Soil
Generally ferns prefer a heaver well drained soil type with ample organic matter tending acidic. Sandy soil types require regular mulching and heavy clay soils require the addition of gypsum and organic matter in conduction with cultivation to make it more friable. They will tolerate most soil types including granite or basalt based and some species are found in limestone base soils. All require organic material and moisture.