A safe nursery for young ferns and the best way to propagate ferns

Ferns are propagated differently from other green plants because they do not produce any flowers or seeds. Ferns are propagated by distributing the spores that are formed on the ferns.. Take a look at this wide range of propagators.

Propagating form the distribution of spores

The natural propagation process can be catalyzed by spreading spores by hand. This is not any easy task and there are only a few nurseries which can carry out this type of propagation. Cyrtomomium and Pteris can be propagated in this manner even by an amateur.

You do not purchase spores like you do seeds. The only way you can obtain spores is if you have a fern that already has them, or from a friends frond which will have spores growing.

Spores should only be sown when they are ripe if they are going to produce any healthy zygotes. Spores are very hard to collect as well because of there small sizes and light weight. The only time that one can collect the spores is before the capsules split apart. Be prepared to gather the spores when the capsules turn brown.

Harvesting spores

Some gardeners realized that there is a great need to harvest the spores before their catapulted out of the case into the air

  • When the spores are ripe (brown colour instead of white) cut off the fern frond

  • Wrap the frond in a decent peace of paper

  • Hang it up in a position which is dry for 3 days

  • When the capsules break-up the spores ill be caught in the paper

  • Examine the new spores and separate the healthy ones from the rotten deformed ones

  • Plant the spores quickly or else put them in a cool, dry place. This helps maintain germinating capabilities.

How to sow?

Add seeding compost to a pot or small dish. Add boiling water to the compost and ensure that excess water runs off- this kills spores of algae, fungi and mosses. Sow the seeds when the compost has slightly cooled. When the seeds are firmly in the compost, spray them with cool water. The spores must never be covered with compost.

Caring for the spores

Temperatures between 20-25`C are ideal for the sown spores and they must not be exposed to direct sunlight. Do not allow the spores to dry out. Small prothalli will develop from the spores after 4-6 weeks. The prothalli should be kept moist at all times if fertilization is going to be successful. The leaves of the new fern plant will only be visible after about 3-18 months (depending on the species of the fern). As the young fern plant grows, they begin to take up more space and will need to be pricked out. Plant the young ferns in small pots when they reach a height of 6-8cm.

Tissue culture

Previously only sterile ferns could be propagated from Rhizomes. Due to technology advancements, small tissue material from healthy ferns can be used to generate identical offspring. This technique is known as tissue culture and it makes use of special laboratory equipment for it to be successful. Tissue culture has made it possible to produce healthier offspring which are generally more resistant to diseases and attack by pests.

Varieties such as Nephrolepsis, Pellaea and Davallia can be propagated using this method.