Growing ferns from spores

The fern life cycle

Ferns do not flower but reproduce sexually from spores.

There are two distinct stages of the Fern Life cycle.

Mature plants produce spores on the underside of the leaves. When these germinate they grow into small heart-shaped plants known as prothalli. Male and female cells are produced on these plants and after fertilization occurs the adult fern begins to develop.

Sowing method

It is important to sterilize the germination mixture before sowing the fern spores by pouring boiling water over it This kills the spores of fungi and other plants that may germinate and crowd out the developing fern prothalli.

Spores should be sparsely sprinkled on a medium such as finely chopped tree fern fiber, peat moss or sphagnum moss. Equal parts of loam, peat moss and finely crushed terracotta spread to a depth of 2cm over a base of vermiculite also forms an excellent germination base.

Once sown the containers should be covered with plastic or glass (allowing some airspace) and kept at around 20 degrees C in indirect light. Spores take from 2 to 6 weeks to germinate.

Potting on

After a few weeks the germinating spores appear as a mossy growth. When the prothalli are formed and well developed they may be pricked off into a punnet containing a finely sifted soil mixture. The container should be covered with glass or plastic until the fronds appear. The developing ferns should not be exposed to direct light.

Further potting up should be into a coarser textured mix with relatively high levels of organic matter. The mix should drain well. Materials such as sharp river sand and gravel-sized charcoal pieces may be useful for this purpose.

Please note Spores differ from Seeds, they are more like a brown dust type of condition.

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