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 leathery texture long-ovate fronds are dimorphic with the erect fertile fronds appearing at the outer extremities and the sterile fronds spread from the base.

The fronds consist of alternate lanceolate pinna that is 10-150 mm (6in) long with serrated edges with a bristly acuminate apex. The petiole (stipe) is long and can be up to on quarter of the blade length varying in colour from green to black and spent fronds persist on the plant.

Flower: The tiny oblong brown sori are arranged densely along either side of the pinnae mid rib and the indusium is ciliate. The taller fertile fronds appear above the foliage around the perimeter of the plant during late summer.

Fruit: The sori are covered by a light brown indusium that is ciliate. 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.