Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Ah, thanks cincinnana!

I was'nt sure if I posted it before but I love it. Its my first summer (2013) with a Fern so very proud of it.

Last summer was a good summer worldwide I think, certainly we had some great temps. Its now had all those beautiful Fern leaves cut off :ha::ha: I am using them to winter protect but as yet that was'nt needed.

Its also got a big black fleece ball in the crown, thats the part that needs the protection more than the log itself.

Secret in summer; keep it well watered, in severe winter protect with balls of fleece and cover it with its own cut off leaves then a fleece bag and in spring it all begins again.

Remove all protection and water the crown. Watering the crown ensure surplus water waters the log too.

Just watch out for small white Moths, I had them all summer round the Fern, I put my water fountain near the Fern at the finish as Insects hate water.

Here is what they did at leaf of my Fern.



The arrows show the missing leaf.

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

I haven't forgot!


Update! Wish I had more to share but coldness&limited light must be killing any activity... I still have more spores I may through in the Jap, King, and Sensitive if I see no progress by April or May. I'm keeping 'em sealed on the heat mat.

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Just an update ....

I will rotate these ferns out and put NEW containers in soon. These plants will harden off in a hot box out side. I will do this many times until fall or even later. I still have many to do.
Sometimes the process will last 16 months, which is normal for the process that I currently use.

I currently have an all out war with fungus gnats....ugh,

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Yeah I'm having a awful time controlling my mold.... Can't see None anywhere but staying inside GH for awhile w/ heater on will confuse me... A little research and now I have a idea how to control this weird unseen mind-slap.

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

This is a very very very slow growing process... I think I want to start another batch in a different brand of peat moss. I've been keeping them 65°-95°ish but no green yet... what am I doing wrong? Staying moist and keeping them covered tight with cellophane/clear plastic and regular light. Hmmmm

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

It is time again to start another batch of fern spores for the winter.

.
Mother fern, Asplenium bulbiferum, is aptly named for the little plantlets that form on its large, feathery fronds. To propagate Mother ferns, all you need do is pluck off the little "babies," plant them in moist, peaty potting soil, then enclose the container in a plastic bag. Keep them in bright, indirect light until they root.
.Below.

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

There may have not been spores left on the leaves if they were rained on, I always lay the leaves on a piece of paper for a couple of days in a still place. You will see the spores on the paper in the outline of the leaf.

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Yeah I just don't get it? What is the secret? I'm doing something wrong? I still have my other ferns. IDK!!! My GH though: POSSIBLY MAYBE has something to do with the multiple insecticides, fungicides, and other stuff...NO weed killer. I don't want to think the sealed containers would get contaminated but but but???

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Update on last two tubs of plants.
This is the end result of 9 months of growing ferns from spores.

These are the last tubs of plants to be planted out in the woods the rest have been sold or traded for other forest plants or hostas.

Plants shown are a variety of Ostrich fern "The King"

CLICK ON THE PHOTO >>>>>>THE PICS ARE STILL LINKED >>>>>>THEY ARE JUST NOT SHOWING.

I am open for rare trade on forest /ephemeral plants that are of interest to me.

Ferns from spores at 8 months
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr
.These were some of the plants 8months ago.

fern propagation
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr
.Another light setup for the propagation of ferns using a six socket bathroom style light bar with 12- 23 watt cfl's in a 'Y" formation.
Light bar is installed under a coffee table for efficiency and space.
Simple and effective.


12 cfl growlight setup for ferns
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Time to go out in the woods and find some fern spores to grow over the winter.
Last years great performer was an Ostrich fern.

Matteuccia struthiopteris 'The King' - Plant Finder
.
Quadricopter
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

interesting... never knew this about ferns
there are plenty of varieties of fern i have seen around here...
reminds me of PF tek

would it be good to dry the fern in a glass casserole dish and then add distilled water to youre spore print like in PF tek?

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Check this out when you get a chance......follow the safe links.
This is fun to try whether a pro or novice......really.
If successful the long process is rewarding:)
When you pull this off it is truly a feather in your cap.

American Fern Society

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

I have been growing these ferns for 17 months in a sealed 1 gallon pickle jar.
A perfect starter terrarium great for a simple no cost startup.
Grown from spores.
This is a good source for information and spores.

.The Hardy Fern Foundation - Hardy Ferns - Fern Displays, Fern Education, Fern Information. Located in Federal Way, Washington.

This is the cultivar shown.

.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athyrium_filix-femina

.
Ferns which have been in this sealed jar for 17 months.
Grown from spores.
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Springtime...it is here....Basjoos are not up yet 4-19
.
Untitled by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr
Foreground Ostrich fern

Background plants are Mayapples which are invasive in certain(mine) rich woodland conditions.

But they are awesome....looks like a village.

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

I got a couple of ferns at the bottom of my garden they always live through winter the leaves on them don't die in frost

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

That is awesome...I have to wait till spring till mine pop up.....shucks.

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Out of 9 wonderfully healthy Ostrich ferns sent to me here in FL a year ago by cincinnana that I absolutely didn't have a clue how to make live in this heat, I have 1 and possibly 2 alive. I've planted them, potted them, set them in shade, watered them within an inch of drowning--then repeated. Dead? I thought for sure. But one seems to be accepting her home at this now lousy gardener's digs (I was a landscaper in a prior life!) and possibly thriving; the other is showing some life. I'm watching them both like a hawk and hoping at least one gets her bearings. (Hey, FL is tuff! We have armed dillos here!)

I was also gifted a Voodoo lily bulb that died back last year without flowering; she was replanted where I can watch her (not sure my eagle eyes are of any use but, yes, I water and talk to her and the ferns though, honestly, I'm not sure they notice) that I thought was surely gone but has risen to a spike which petered out but has produced a new shoot beside the mother. (What's funny is, because I believed the bulb was deceased, at first I thought this growth was a pup from the mystery banana planted 2' away. I've never had a pup grow that distance from Mama so was really wondering whether this meandering musa was one I wanted to grow.)

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

I had fiddleheads last year when they arrived; asparagus doesn't even come close in flavor. This year I just let it grow...er...recover. Actually, thinking all was lost, I missed the moment. Fingers crossed this 1 and perhaps the other will get established enough that I can put them under the Norfolk pine in my front yard on the east side (back) where it's shady. I'm not sure what to expect from the lily which should be very happy here. I'm watching the 2nd growth now. Will she flower or just keep making babies? Foliage is cool so all is not lost.

BTW, if you haven't tasted dandelion buds sauteed in butter than you're missing out; again, asparagus is a poor substitute. Never thought I'd miss those lawn miscreants but I do and they don't grow here. I ordered some fancy French seeds but the supplier was out. Anyone got spare seeds? :ha:

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Ostrich ferns should fit your requirements. You can get them early in the season at Walmart. They also grow natively in Appalachia, along with cinnamon ferns.

Re: Give a dog a bone... Ima grow FERNS !
 

Dandelions?