Propagation
This fern is difficult to grow from spores and is normally propagated from the leaf stipules, which contain two dormant buds. Lay them on a sand peat bed and keep moist for up to 12 months.


Botanic information
Leaf: The lime green fronds are bipinnate and the pinnae have entire to serrated margins. They can grow up to 5m (15ft) long and have rachis that is swollen at the base. The lower pinnules have ear-like lobes.

Flower: The sporangia are located along the margins in opposite pairs on the underside of the fertile fronds and appear during summer or throughout the year in tropical regions.

Fruit: The small sporangium is round and splits along a central line and is clustered in groups of 5 to 8. The small spores are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.

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 and dispersed by wind or water.

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.