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

Transplanting mature plants.


Botanic information
Leaf: The fronds are 2 to 3 pinnate, dark green above and silvery-white below when mature. The oblong primary pinnae are up to 500mm (20in) long with an acuminate apex and the secondary pinnae are to 100mm (4in) long. The mid rib and rachises are covered in fine tan-coloured hairs and the long petiole is silvery colored and thickens at the base.

Flower: The globose sori are arranged on either side if the mid rib on underside of the fertile fronds and are covered in a thin indusium. They appear from late spring to early summer.

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.


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.