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

Division: Cut rhizomes in to lengths and plant upwards, bottom heat and keep moist during growing period.


Botanic information
Leaf: The sterile pinnate frond is up to 300mm (1ft) wide with a stout grooved rhachis and has pale brown stipe up to 200mm (7ľin) long. There are up to 30-opposite pairs of lanceolate-oblong pointed pinnae to 100mm (4in) long and terminal pinnae to 200mm (7ľin) long. The margins are undulating and finely serrated.
Note
During winter black patches appear on the fronds in preparation for the dormant period. It is advisable not to remove the fronds until the new pinkish growth appears.

Flower: The lanceolate to oblong fertile frond is up to 500mm (20in) long by 200mm (7ľin) wide. The ascending pinnae are up to 250mm (9ľin) long by 6mm (Ľin) wide and the underside is covered in sori with an indusium that becomes erose. They appear during early summer.

Fruit: This plant is normally reproduced vegetatively from rhizomes.

The sori appear over the underside of the pinnae on the fertile fronds. 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 information 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.