Popular indoor ferns (king fern, ostrich fern, etc.)

The different shades of green and the versatility of their fronds make ferns interesting for the room. If a fern is to thrive in the room, the humidity and location must be right. In nature, ferns can be found under the canopy of trees. They do not tolerate blazing sun or drought. Ferns belong to the spore family because they reproduce through spores. In nature, ferns developed many millions of years before flowering plants.

Types for indoors
The best-known indoor fern is the lady's hair fern, Adiantum or Venushaar. It has wiry glossy black petioles and many small leaves. The typical rustic look for a fern is missing, because the venus hair looks extremely filigree. If the site conditions are good, the maidenhair fern develops into a small bush. It needs a shady place and a high level of humidity. It does not tolerate waterlogging.
Tip: Setting up a humidifier is better than spraying the maidenhair fern directly. He can't take that.
The border fern, also known as wing fern or pteris, is an easy-care indoor fern. He does not like direct sunlight and is happy with a bright location. The root ball should never dry out. The wing fern is characterized by dense, single or double pinnate fronds. In the more than 200 species, these can be set off decoratively with white or silver central stripes. The hem farm is allowed to go directly

be sprayed with water. AHA! The dark brown lines on the underside of the leaf are the clusters of spores. The antler fern Platycerium bifurcatum grows well even in relatively dark places in the room. It is special because it grows epiphytically and therefore has two different leaf shapes. The brown niche leaves are used to supply nutrients and as a holding organ. Each new niche leaf rolls over the previous one and then stands up. After rotting, the niche leaves serve as a nutrient for the plant. The green leather-like fronds of the antler fern grow up to 90 cm long. They hang down and have split tips. As with all ferns, the substrate of the antler fern must never dry out. It is particularly suitable as a decorative hanging plant and grows very well in bowls. It takes up a lot of space. The fern grows on orchid substrate. Its leaves must not be wiped off, because otherwise the hair that is essential for life on the leaves would disappear.
Tip: Never remove dead niche leaves! They are a source of nutrients.
The shield fern Polystrichum tsus-simense for the window sill is like its large relatives in the garden. It forms almost triangular fronds that are covered with paired leaflets that become smaller towards the tip. The spores sit in two rows on the underside of the leaves. It needs a shady place, perhaps best by a north window. Contrary to the growing conditions of most ferns, the shield fern can also tolerate dry air. The leather fern Arachniodes resembles the shield fern in its appearance. But it is actually related to the maidenhair fern. But its leaves are leathery. He also tolerates dry heating air and in summer appreciates a place on the balcony or in the garden. In nature it grows on trees. It therefore needs an orchid-like substrate.
Tip: If the leaves of the leather fern are pale, it is too sunny.

Location

Most ferns thrive in room temperatures between 16 to 22 degrees Celsius and high humidity. A classic stand is the bathroom. The light requirement is rather low due to the natural growth conditions for ferns. Most ferns cannot tolerate the sun.

care
The root ball should always be moist without waterlogging. Clay granules are ideally suited as a plant substrate if the fern is kept in hydroponics without the roots being in the water. Ferns are best misted regularly with lime-free water. Every two weeks, some liquid fertilizer is added to the irrigation water. Species that take a growth break in winter then do not need to be fertilized. It is an advantage if the entire ball of the pot can be dipped into the water from time to time so that it soaks up properly.
Tip: Plastic plant containers hold water longer than clay pots!
Aha! Ferns appear slightly shabby during hibernation. However, they drive out new fronds again in spring when they get more light again.

Propagate / repot
Ferns that have grown too large can be reproduced by dividing them in spring before new fronds form. After the division, the ferns are immediately put back into the earth and kept well moist. Ferns are repotted in the spring.

Propagate by spores
The spores sit on the underside of the leaf of the fronds. To get the spores to ripen, a frond is cut off and placed in an envelope in a bright, warm place. The spores become detached from the leaves and can then be filled into the seed pots with sterile soil. The plant containers are closed with a hood. At 22 degrees in a bright place, the spores should appear after a while

germinate. The germs then form a kind of moss lawn, which is divided into even pieces and placed in individual planters. Over time, small fern fronds develop from the lawn-like structures, which can now be pricked out individually.
Propagation by brood nodules
The shield fern forms small nodules on the underside of the leaf. These are ripe in summer. The fern frond is now pressed firmly to the ground and thus attached. The nodules now develop roots. Small ferns develop on the upper side of the leaf. After a few weeks, when they are large enough, they can be separated from the mother plant and placed in individual plant pots.

Diseases and pests
Ferns are very hardy if they are allowed to grow in a suitable location.

• Aphids can be removed with a water bath
• Scale insects can be wiped off with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol
• Brown leaf margins are caused by a too humid and too cool stand, brown leaf tips, on the other hand, are a sign of too dry air or a lack of water
• limp leaves indicate a lack of water
• black spots on the leaves are caused by leaf counts
• wet feet lead to root rot
• Spider mites occur when the air is too dry

frequently asked Questions

Is there a particularly hardy fern?

Yes, the rabbit-foot fern is particularly undemanding. It is an ampel plant with feathery leaves. The rhizome has a furry appearance.

Which fern is particularly beautiful?
The fronds of the golden spotted fern have bluish frosted pinnate leaves.
Where does the pelle fern come from?

It is found in the forests of Australia, Africa, and North and South America. The fern loves drought and sun, but no midday sun.

What must be considered when propagating?
The tender seedlings are quickly overgrown by fungi, moss or algae as they multiply through spores. The substrate must be absolutely sterile.

When are the spores ripe?
When they have turned a brown color. This is mostly the case in summer.