Propagating the popular nest fern is not easy. But it's not impossible either. For new young plants you need the spores of the existing plant.
The propagation of the nest fern (Asplenium nidus) remains limited to one method. This can be explained by the fact that the plant grows from a kind of rosette that does not form any runners. Likewise, no flowers and fruits are formed, so that propagation by seeds is also ruled out. If you want to multiply your nest fern, you can only do this with spores. This is probably the most complex and lengthy method of propagation.
You can find out how to successfully grow young plants below.
What are spores?
Spores are used for the asexual reproduction of plants. These seed deposits are primarily found in lower plants such as mosses, algae or ferns. Spores can be formed in large numbers and are extremely robust and do not need water or oxygen over long periods of time, as they can virtually stop their metabolism. Spores can survive for a very long time and appear particularly resilient. However, propagation by spores is not always crowned with success, and in the long term at that.
How to get spores?
The spores are on the underside of the fern fronds. Their degree of maturity can be seen by touching the spore capsules. If fine dust can then be seen, this indicates the maturity of the spores. Now a fern frond is separated. This is placed on a piece of paper or in a paper or cotton bag and kept in a warm place for one to two days. The spores detach from the capsules and can now be used for cultivation.
» Tip: Greenish or yellowish spore capsules are still immature. Ripe capsules appear orange to brownish.
How are the spores sown?
First a flat seed tray is filled with substrate. Standard ground can be used here. It is a good idea to sterilize the substrate in a microwave or oven beforehand. A few minutes in the microwave is enough. In the oven, the substrate can be at 150 degrees for halfSterilize hour.
The substrate, which has cooled down after sterilization, is filled into the seed tray. The spores are not covered with soil. So that the spores are not washed out, the substrate is moistened with the plant sprayer instead of being watered. The planter should be fitted with a plastic or glass cover and placed in a bright but not full sun location with temperatures around 24 degrees.
The sowing in keywords:
- Fill shallow seed container with substrate
- Spread spores, do not cover with soil
- Cover Seed Pot
- Keep substrate constantly moist
- set up at temperatures around 24 degrees
What happens now?
First and foremost, what you need is patience. It can be several months before anything happens at all. The substrate must not dry out during this time. To prevent mold from forming in the seed pot, the cover should be aired briefly every day.
If you see a greenish coating reminiscent of moss, the effort was worth it. However, if you are already expecting small fern plants, you will be disappointed. Initially, so-called prothallia were formed. Each individual prothallus has male and female organs. The spermatozoa formed by the male organs use the warm, humid climate in the seed coat to “swim” to reach the female organs and fertilize the egg cell. After further weeks or months, a fertilized egg cell is formed, the basis for a young plant, which can then finally be recognized as a nest fern.
What happens to the young seedlings?
When the young plants appear, it quickly becomes cramped in the seed tray. There is a risk that the planter will become covered in moss or that algae will settle. The plants should then be transplanted immediately.
What is required?
- Plant pots
- Substrate
- Picking Stick
How to proceed?
❶ Fill the plant pots with substrate
❷ Carefully lift the plant out of the seed tray
❸ Press a small depression into the planter
❹ Insert the plant carefully and press lightly
The planters can be filled with pricking soil or standard soil mixed with peat and sand. Carefully lift the seedlings out of the seed tray. It is best to use a pricking stick for this. The pricking stick can also be used to distribute the substrate well after the plant has been planted and not to injure the little plant. Alternatively, you can use a spoon.
How to cultivate the young plants?
The young plants still need a warm, humid climate. In order to achieve constant temperatures of around 24 degrees, accommodation in a mini greenhouse on the windowsill is a good idea.
» Tip: Avoid direct sunlight. Partial shade is tolerated.
The substrate must be kept constantly moist. The plants should also be sprayed daily. Do not use tap water. This has too high a lime content. Rainwater is the better choice. If you depend on tap water, you should never use it fresh from the tap. With stagnant tap water, the lime content is noticeably reduced. Dilution with distilled water is also possible. When the plants have reached a height of seven to eight centimetres, they can start applying liquid fertilizer in a weak concentration.