Propagation
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum moss, peat moss, bricks or terracotta pot base then cover with glass and keep moist. 4 to 6 weeks until prothalli appears. True fronds appear between 6-12 months after sowing.

Division during the growing period, cut the rhizomes in to lengths and plant apex upwards, apply bottom heat and keep moist.


Botanic information
Leaf: The bipinnate fronds have slender glossy black to brown, smooth rachis and each branch has up to 4-12 pinnae. The pinnae are oblong to obliquely triangular with the upper margin lobed or deeply toothed.

Flower: The sporangia are reniform (kidney shape) with 1-4 sori per pinnule and are deeply embedded in the margin of the fertile pinnae. They appear during late summer.

Fruit: This plant is normally reproduced vegetatively from rhizomes.

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.

Culture
When grown indoors Maiden Hair Ferns require a minimum night-time temperature of 10şC (50şF) and prefer high humidity around 60% which can be achieved with misting the surrounding air regularly. The plants do well in terrariums or placed in bathrooms in bright indirect light.
Re-pot only when necessary, as the plants prefer the roots to be crowded and water regularly during summer and reduce watering during winter. Do not allow the soil to become boggy.