Easy propagation SOW FERN SPORES
With a bit of patience you can expand your fern collection by collecting and sowing their spores now
Ferns can be propagated in a number of different ways – some produce little bulb-like structures on the stems that can be potted up and most ferns can be divided in spring. A more exciting way to make more ferns is to sow their spores.
How to do it...
Collect the spores. Most ferns produce spores in lines or clusters on the undersides of their fronds. The spores tend to ripen at this time of year and turn dark brown or black. Collect the spores by removing a small piece of frond and placing it in a paper envelope. Put this somewhere dry and warm for a few days. The spores will collect as a fine dust at the bottom of the envelope. Sterilise a small pot of compost. This step removes any fungal or moss spores that could contaminate the growing environment. Simply fill a seed tray or pot with John Innes seed compost to about 1cm (½in) below the rim. Cut a piece of paper to fit the top of the pot or tray and place this on top of the compost. Pour boiling water over the surface until a steady flow comes out of the base. Cover with a sheet of glass or aluminium foil until the compost is cold. Remove the cover and paper when you’re ready to sow. Sow the spores. Sprinkle the spores over the compost and cover the pot with cling film. This will keep conditions humid but sterile. Place the pot or tray in a cool spot that’s slightly shady. It could take several weeks for a green covering (prothallia) to form on the compost, and then another few weeks for tiny fronds to grow. When you can see two or three fronds, prick them out into sterilised potting compost (use the boiling water method again) and cover with a plastic bag to maintain the moisture.