- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- use
- Is maidenhair fern poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- The right planting distance
- Propagating Maidenhair Fern
- Maidenhair fern in a pot
- balcony
- In the greenhouse
- Water maidenhair fern
- Fertilize maidenhair fern properly
- Cut maidenhair fern correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- pests
- brown leaves
- sorts
Maidenhair ferns are reminiscent of meadow rue with their leaves. But the plants have little in common with the flowering plants apart from the shape of the leaves. The ferns convince as ornamental leaf plants. If you pay attention to the site requirements, you can also plant maidenhair ferns outdoors.
Maidenhair fern also thrives wild in forests and on rocks
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- use
- Is maidenhair fern poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- The right planting distance
- Propagating Maidenhair Fern
- Maidenhair fern in a pot
- balcony
- In the greenhouse
- Water maidenhair fern
- Fertilize maidenhair fern properly
- Cut maidenhair fern correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- pests
- brown leaves
- sorts
- compost
- coconut fibers
- coarse leaf soil
- planting time
- in a partially shaded location
- at temperatures between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius
- after three to four weeks
- Submerge the bucket in a water bath
- let stand under water until no bubbles form
- Leaves should not get water on them as they burn quickly
- Brilliant Else: Golden-yellow fern fronds, purple-pink shoots.
- Fragrantissimum: Upright fronds that droop with age. Light green leaves, three to four pinnate. Growth height up to 50 centimeters.
- Microphyllum: Finely feathered foliage, overhanging habit.
- Variegated Lüthi: leaflets green with white fan-shaped stripes.
origin
Maidenhair ferns are a species-rich genus within the global tree fern family. The species Adiantum capillus-veneris is the only species occurring in Europe. It thrives on wet limestone rocks and inhabits steep slopes in semi-shade. The fern occurs on river banks and streams. This common maidenhair fern is also offered as Venus hair.
The triangular maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum) is one of the popular ornamental plants along with the Venus hair. This plant originally comes from the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Here they grow in warm and humid conditions in the undergrowth of broad-crowned trees.
growth
Adiantum species grow as perennial herbaceous plants with underground rhizomes. Depending on the species, the tuber can be short or elongated. The rhizomes, which are covered with yellowish to reddish-brown scales, sometimes branch out. The ferns grow upright and are between 30 and 100 centimeters high.
leaves
The leaves are reminiscent of fronds, which are arranged alternately. The leaf position is hardly recognizable because the leaves are densely clustered. Your leaf blade is multipinnate and can be between 15 and 110 centimeters long. The shape of the leaf is reminiscent of a fan. Each leaflet has a wiry stalk, giving the plant its German name. The stems appear black-brown with a dark purple tint.
blossom
As ferns, Adiantum species do not develop flowers. They reproduce by means of spores that are formed underneath the fertile leaf sections. These are bent down at the edge. The spores are yellow or brownish in color. They spread with the wind.
use
The ornamental foliage plants are cultivated in tubs, since most varieties do not survive the winter outdoors. The potted plants beautify dark corners of the garden in summer. They are suitable for decorating the banks of water and adorn partially shaded stone niches and walls. Maidenhair ferns The plants can be cultivated standing or placed in hanging baskets. If you want to settle the maidenhair fern in the garden, you should use hardy varieties.
Is maidenhair fern poisonous?
Little is known about the toxic effects of maidenhair ferns. They are classified as slightly toxic. After consumption, nausea and vomiting may occur. The toxic effect can be more intense in pets.
Which location is suitable?
Maidenhair ferns prefer a semi-shady location. They also thrive in shady spots. High humidity is crucial for vigorous growth. Temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius ensure optimal conditions. In winter, the plants feel comfortable at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. As moisture-loving tub plants, they are ideal for greening bathrooms. The plants do not like drafts.
What soil does the plant need?
Maidenhair ferns can be planted in conventional potting soil. Soil for orchids is also suitable for cultivating ornamental plants. They like a nutrient-poor substrate with a low salinity. The pH should be in the acidic range.
The ideal mix consists of:
Varieties that are sensitive to frost should be planted out in the garden after the ice saints, when the temperatures at night no longer fall well below ten degrees Celsius. Hardy varieties can be planted between spring and late summer. The ideal planting time is between the end of March and the end of April. The plants then have enough time to develop roots.
The right planting distance
Plant the ferns so close together that the distance between two plants is half the circumference of the root ball. The ferns do well when the planting hole is twice as deep as the root ball is high. Place shards of pottery, quartz sand (€15.85) and pebbles in the hole to improve water drainage. For filling, use substrate that is free of weeds and root debris. You can improve the excavation with compost, peat or leaf compost.
Propagating Maidenhair Fern
The plants can easily be propagated by division. It is possible during the growing season. The spores are also suitable for reproduction.
division
To do this, you have to dig up the rhizomes that grow just below the surface of the earth and completely free them from the substrate. Use a sharp knife to divide. Each section should have at least three fronds of fern for the plant to grow well. Plant the sections individually or in small groups.
spores
Cut off a fertile frond. You can recognize mature spores when a brown dust sticks to your finger when you wipe them off. Lay the fern frond on a piece of tissue paper so the underside is on the leaf. Put a container over the leaf so that the fine spores are not blown away. They settle on the paper and can then be sprinkled on potting soil. Cover the spores thinly with sand. Keep the substrate constantly moist
Germination occurs:
Maidenhair fern in a pot
Since maidenhair ferns prefer humid conditions, consider using a terracotta, clay, or stone pot. These materials regulate the moisture balance in the substrate as they absorb water and release it when it is dry. The rhizomes rot easily when moisture builds up in the substrate. Therefore, the bucket should have a drainage hole and be lined with a layer of pebbles or potsherds.
balcony
The maidenhair fern feels comfortable on the balcony if protected conditions are guaranteed. A south-facing balcony is ideal. Place the bucket against the wall of the house so that the plant does not get drafts and benefits from the warm temperatures. Protect the fern from direct midday sun.
In the greenhouse
The conditions here are ideal for healthy growth. Maidenhair ferns are protected from the direct sun behind frosted glass. The interior heats up, so moisture evaporates from the substrate. It increases the humidity, which benefits the ornamental plants.
Water maidenhair fern
Adiantum species have an average water requirement. Young ferns should be watered sparingly as their small fronds require less water than the leaves of mature specimens. Allow the soil to dry superficially before each watering. The root ball must not dry out, as the fern quickly loses leaves. Too intensive watering units lead to root rot. The humidity in the room will increase if you place the pot in a planter filled with gravel and water.
In case of extreme dryness:
Fertilize maidenhair fern properly
The nutrient requirement is low. Use fertilizer sparingly as plants can easily be over-fertilized. If you cultivate the plants in a peat-based soil mix, they will enjoy a nutrient feed every four to six weeks during the growing season. If you use a mixture of compost, leaf soil or normal potting soil, fertilizing every eight to ten weeks is sufficient. Use liquid fertilizer in a low concentration.
Cut maidenhair fern correctly
Regular pruning is not necessary for the maidenhair fern. You can cut off dried fern fronds during the year to encourage the plant to sprout again. After the winter, a thinning is recommended, in which dried shoots are removed.
How do I plant correctly?
As soon as the first roots emerge from the substrate, the maidenhair fern should be repotted. With this measure, shorten roots by a third. As a result, the rhizome develops new fine roots and remains compact. The new pot should be twice as deep as the root ball. When you have repotted the plant, you can cover the soil with gravel. The stones act as a protection against evaporation so that the moisture stays longer in the root area.
pests
In indoor culture, aphids and spider mites often appear. Pest infestation is favored by low humidity. Check the moisture in the substrate regularly. You can fight the pests directly with oil-based preparations. The oil film settles on the leaves and traps the insects so that they can no longer breathe and die. You should avoid using soapy solutions, as the ferns are sensitive to them. Maidenhair ferns do not tolerate pesticides.
Glassy spots on the leaves indicate an infestation by aphids. They get onto the plant via the irrigation water. The nematodes penetrate the organism through the stomata of the leaves, where they suck out the cells. In the early stages, it is sufficient to cut off and discard the affected leaves. If the pests have spread to the entire plant, you should remove them. This will prevent the nematodes from spreading to neighboring plants.
brown leaves
If the fern fronds turn brown, this indicates a suboptimal location. The maidenhair fern prefers light locations. It tolerates hours of sunshine in the morning or evening. If the plant is exposed to the blazing midday sun, the leaves will quickly burn and turn brown. Place potted plants outdoors in a sheltered spot under trees. Make sure that the plant gets the same amount of light from all sides. This ensures even growth.
tips
Maidenhair ferns harmonize with other ferns such as male fern, moon sickle fern or palm leaf fern. They can also be planted in a container with larger forest grasses such as Japanese sedge.