Propagation
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum or peat moss then cover with glass, keep moist for 4 to 6 weeks maintaining a temperature of 16ş C (61ş F), with indirect light until the prothallus appears.
Cleanliness is essential during the process.

Divide rhizomes in to lengths during spring and seal wounds to prevent fungal infection. Plant upwards in well drained moist soil, apply bottom heat.

Botanic information
Leaf: The slightly pubescent leathery glossy dark green sagittate fronds are up to 150 mm (6 in) long by 60 mm (2? in) wide with an acuminate apex and a deeply lobed base. The slender pubescent blackish stipe is up to 100 mm (4 in) long and the fertile fronds have a long stipe up to 300 mm (1 ft). The erect fertile fronds are slender sagittate (arrowhead-shaped).
Note:
The sterile fronds produced plantlets at the base where the petiole joins the lamina.

Flower: The narrow sagittate fertile fronds produced spores on the underside along the reticulate veins and the indusia is absent. The spores appear during early summer or throughout the year in tropical regions.

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 and dispersed by wind or water.The spores are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.

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 deep shade.

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

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 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 cover the crown of the plant.
When fertilising, ferns prefer a little and regular fertiliser this will improve pale fronds and weak growth.

Soil
Generally ferns prefer a heaver soil type with ample organic matter. Sandy soils 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 but generally they prefer a acidic pH. All require organic material and moisture.