Propagation
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum moss or peat moss and cover with glass and keep moist. In 4 to 6 weeks the prothallus appears.
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 dark green leathery textured pinnate fronds are up to 1 m (3 ft) long by 250 mm (9ľ in) wide and are oblanceolate in outline with an abruptly acuminate apex. The grooved pale brown scaly stipe is 200 mm (8 in) or more in length and appears crowded along the rhizome. The scaly black rachis has 20 to 30 pairs of horizontally spreading sessile lanceolate to linear pinnae that are coarsely toothed and up to 20 mm (ľ in) wide and become smaller towards the base.

Flower: The underside of the fertile pinnae produce sori in 2-3 rows closer to the costae than the margin and the indusia is orbicular to reniform, up to 0.5 mm wide. The sporangia are brownish and the spores mature during midsummer.

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 may be 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.