Propagation
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum moss, peat moss, cover with glass and keep moist. Prothallus appears in 4 to 6 weeks. Prick out when large enough to handle and pot up.
Mature plants may be transplanted.

Botanic information
Leaf: The soft textured fronds are bipinnate to tripinnate with oblong lanceolate primary pinnae that are up to 100 mm (4 in) long with an acute to an acuminate apex.

The secondary pinnae are up to 60 mm (2? in) long and narrow oblong. The slender dark stipe up to 300 mm (1 ft) long and the rhachis are yellowish green. The young fronds rhachis and crosier are densely covered in reddish hairs, then becoming glabrous.

Flower: The fertile fronds produce spores on the pale green underside along the margins during early summer.

Fruit: The spores are produced in the hemispherical sporangium during the sporophyte stage of the fern life cycle. They are very small (like fine dust) and are found in rows on the back of the frond.


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.