You go to the seed section of the hardware store in search of fern seeds. But nowhere can seeds of these plants be found. There are no seeds on the internet either. There is only talk of spores…

Ferns do not develop seeds but spores

No seeds but spores

Unlike flowering plants, a fern does not produce a flower, fruit, or seed. But how do these plants reproduce? They do this using their spores, which are usually found on the underside of their fronds.

With time comes maturity

The spores are in rounded capsules. As a rule, the spores of most fern species mature between June and September. When ripe, the capsules open and the spores they contain fall out and are dispersed by the wind.

Spores are poisonous when inhaled!

Many types of ferns, such as bracken, are extremely poisonous. Even its spores are poisonous. You don't have to eat them for that. It is enough to inhale the extremely fine spores. Especially those who want to rid a large area of poisonous ferns should wear a breathing mask when in contact with the plants and especially at the time of spore maturation!

Sowing instructions for the spores

If you have obtained spores of a species of fern that you would like to sow, use the following sowing instructions:

  • Fill the seed substrate into the seed tray or pot
  • moisten the substrate
  • Distribute fern spores on the substrate
  • Put a plastic bag or a suitable plastic lid over it for the sowing tray
  • air daily
  • put in a warm place (20 to 25 °C)

Patience is required when sowing fern spores. Don't be disappointed if nothing happens after several weeks. It often takes up to 3 months for a greenish coating to form over the seed soil.

Over the next few months, small fern plants will slowly develop from the greenish covering. On average, the young ferns are developed after 1 year. Then they can be pricked if necessary.

tips and tricks

If you want to harvest the spores yourself from a fern, you should cut off the entire frond. At home, the frond is placed on a sheet of paper. After 24 to 48 hours, the spores have fallen out of the capsules.

Category:

Vegetable garden