If you meet ferns in the forest, it's nothing spectacular. But in your own garden, ferns make a lot! If you want to save money, multiply these primeval plants with your own hands. Here are 3 propagation methods that have proven themselves.
Fern reproduces itself via spores
Spores for propagating ferns
Unlike higher plants, ferns do not form flowers and then fruits with seeds. They spread using their spores. These are usually on the underside of the leaf and are easily recognizable.
Collect spores and grow plants
The spores mature in summer. Look at the fronds of the fern! Is there a fine dust on the underside? If so, the spores are 'ripe'. Cut a frond and place it on a piece of paper at home. After a day or two, the spores have fallen out of the capsules and landed on the paper.
The spores are now sown like seeds:
- Choose pot or seed tray
- Scatter spores on potting soil and distribute well (light germs)
- Dampen soil with a hand sprayer
- Put a plastic bag or the lid of the seed tray over it
- air once a day to avoid mold growth
share ferns
A much less time-consuming and patience-requiring method is division. However, this is not possible with all types of ferns. Only ferns with underground rhizomes are suitable for division. Furthermore, the plant should already be large and strong.
Method:
- Dig up the plant in spring
- Shake off the soil from the roots
- Cut rhizome z. B. with a knife or spade
- each section should have at least two fronds
- plant in pots
- plant out after the first winter
Fern propagation by cuttings
The propagation of cuttings has also proven itself. Note that all types of ferns are poisonous and washing hands after contact with the plant parts is important. How to proceed:
- look for aboveground rhizome
- Cut off the rhizome 4 cm behind the growing point
- plant in a pot with soil
- keep moist
- Rooting period: about a month
tips and tricks
The cultivation by means of the spores is extremely tedious. The little plants can only be seen and isolated after a year. Therefore, the other two propagation methods are preferable.