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

So I got a overwhelming feelin'; wanting to contribute something good to this forum and after sharing my stories of my new greenhouse, elephant ear and banana fetish on this forum I have been getting contacted by a few interested onlookers and NC residents. . . But out of all my discussions with everyone, someone had the willingness, thoughtfulness, and understanding to contact me with a new DiFfErEnT idea!
I realize I could have much more in my greenhouse and don't plan on wasting my investments' space, so after stating my interest in ferns a package showed up! Good things come when you least expect them an equally, good things come in small packages!

FERN SPORES! Metalicca variety Japanese painted, reg. ostrich, king variety ostrich, and Sensitive!
OTHER stuff Included to help start me out right!
Amorphophallus Konjac-whoa
Amorphophallus Sauratum-red hmmmwwhaaat
Brugmansia-white flowers
Crinum lily-white
Hibiscus Texas Star seeds- white or red maybe?
I had no problem translating the note inside. ;) THANKS CINCINNANA this gift is a true blessing I will take care of.

Peat Moss, Perlite, Distilled Water, Rubbermaid Boxes, and spores! How simple could this be?

I microwaved each container for 10 minute as instructed by YouTube.
I had fun crumbling all these spore pod thingys.


This is a local specimen I found and am going to keep this to dry, along with the sensitive fern Spores for another week.
So far I got the Japanese painted, reg. ostrich, king ostrich ready to watch and not open or touch for a couple months!

Giving credit where credit is due, was taught to me as a youngster so when I saw this show up at my house I realized to the fullest extent of what just happen, God gave me fists but I have chosen to use them as tools.

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

I am happy you got the stuff......Enjoy....:woohoonaner:
Looks like you got it going on!!

I just back from the store with some more 18 quart containers because I used all my other ones up yesterday.
The common name of the fern you found in the woods is called a Christmas fern.....good to grow
Have fun......I got work to do too :08:
So many spores so little time:ha:

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

Pooh Yaah I like DAT me!:}

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

Just in case you want to broaden your fern collection ... I have seen ferns (and orchids!) that grow during the summer in silt above the permafrost in central Alaska.

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

Thanks Richard for mentioning this.
:woohoonaner:
For those of you whom are interested here are two links to organizations that I affiliate with and have purchased from.

You can purchase common and rare fern spore for over 200 varieties from all over the world, and the cost is reasonable, and you have all the growing tips that you will ever need.
I have grown my fern collection from them, and other sources.
The ferns which Richard spoke about can be found and purchased from these two organizations, both based in the Great Northwest U.S.A.




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

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

I'm looking for large 3 -4 feet tall tropical looking ferns to grow inground in my shady 8b/9a garden. I would prefer color but not required. Any you would recommend?

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

No problem. Many ferns are native to the subtropical and near-artic rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. In particular, from the Olympic Peninsula of WA through the Alaska panhandle. Both the Univ. of Washington and the Univ. of Alaska have extensive biological research and preservation programs in flora of the northwest.

Also, there are also some ferns that are native to Australasia that are cold-hardy because geologically that region has been moving north for ages. Check out the the collection and archives at CANBR.

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

Darkman

Most of my favorites are tree ferns which are somewhat easy to get. Walmarts and Home Depots will usually have them cost is 6 -15 dollars you just have to look for them or you can buy them off the web. I have seen them in many Florida stores and better nurseries .
Your advantage is that in Florida many of these will do just fine in the ground or in a pot and they tolerate very cool temps.

Another fern to look at is called the Giant Leather Fern which is commonly found in most of Florida and can be found near many ditches and canals.......someone in these forums has to know where there is a large stand of these are.....if unchecked these are invasive in certain circumstances and they are massive.
Mine are wild caught and in containers.
Here is a pic from this fall, the waist high plants in the front are Dicksonia Antartica which are three years old... the others are smaller tree ferns and other stuff that I do not know how to spell:ha:
Here is a web page to visit, it has some good photos and descriptions
forestferns.co.uk

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

I have had a few tree ferns but they never can withstand our cold with winners. I'll look into some of those others they sound interesting.

Richard thanks for those links.

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

I have had pretty good luck so far growing fern from spores. The first pic is about 2 weeks after I sowed them, As you can see in the second pic, I sowed waaaayyy too many lol. The third pic is from today, and the first true leaves are starting to sprout. Just make sure after the gametophytes reach a good size, mist them with a spray bottle so fertilization can occur. To get to this phase, it took about 2 months. They are from Northern Maidenhair that grow wild behind my house. The last pic are what the adults look like, they look pretty tropical I think.

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

These are red stemmed lady ferns, also collected from wild plants. From what I gather on the web they are rare? I have seen them called lady in red. These were started at the same time as the Maidenhair above, but no true leaves yet. It wont be long though.

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

Try the Tasmanian Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica) - I have a little one growing in one of my beds; it has survived several wet, below zero winters without a problem

"Dicksonia antarctica is the most cold hardy of the giant tree ferns. Still, despite the species name "antarctica" — derived from the fact that the family as a whole lives around the lower half of the globe — it really can't stand freezing temperatures. It can be killed at 15 to 17 degrees Fahrenheit; 20 degrees is about it for safe low tolerance, & it's safe only then if it won't be that cold very often or very long."

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

FYI, there are currently 76 - give or take - different ferns that grow within the province of British Columbia, Canada in the Pacific Northwest. It is estimated that only 5 or 6 of these were introduced.
.....some of these ferns (such as the sword fern) are found growing in the interior of the province in zone 2.....

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

1 month Update:
I'm starting to see activity.

I got a feeling I might be overrun/overwhelmed with a bulk supply of ferns next year!

Close-up I can see what appears to be a green start, surly not mold. I keep the lids sealed all the time. Table/heat-mat plants are on is limiting water/slowed down. Water is reaching roots only once every couple weeks, lowest I will let GH get is 50F. Still getting up to 100F w/ daylight. We'll see what happens. :bananas_b

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

Dude.....has anyone told you yet that your set up looks like a meth lab...:woohoonaner:...looks like mine....but I do not have so much......cool scientific stuff....I have a Rooster and a Pig.

Wow lookin good ahhhhh,...most of your stuff will take some time, as well as mine. I sowed some the same , and all I have is dirt.......but we know something is there. The bananas are lookin steady....can't wait till spring
I still have not figured out the T8's hanging in mid air.....Chris Angel style
Insert my VINE .....here.. Whoop whoop !
Color me envious !!!

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

If you take a fresh frond next year with spore cases on it, put it on a piece of white paper in a room with no drafts, and let it dry a couple of days. It will have spores on it in the shape of the frond. Thats what I did, and the spores are supposed to be viable for years in the fridge.

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

1 No never Mike you are the ONLY ONE.
2. I live in a very friendly neighborhood and everybody shares and kids are always playing outside, interested people are ALL the time walking up to my fence to look into my Greenhouse and asking what I got growing. People being so intrigued I decided to keep a lock on my fence to avoid kids from playing Hide-and-seek in my yard :ha:
3. the bulbs are hanging from string on both sides, from 2"x4"s spaced two foot apart
4. ??? Hahaha who is the meth head? j/k


I'd like to thank you all for the links and info!

I actually tried that with the one I found local and I didn't really work-out after two weeks SOoo I just crumbed the leafs up fine and put 'em in the same heat treated peat/perlite mix like the others.

My only concern is I couldn't get some regular peat moss at the time so I grabbed some sphagnum peat moss... Seems like the same thing?

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

Siege

Just so happens I have some drying in the basement.
I like your photos, they are true success stories.

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

My Fern - - Dicksonia Antarctica



I also discovered one growing amonsgt some pebbles at the back of the garden.

:03:

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

Are your able to show how you over winter that awesome plant in your UK zone.
I saw this plant in another post of yours .....I love it still.
I bring mine inside as they are not as thick as yours.

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?

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

For Kat....weeds I say...


Untitled by Hostafarian,
on Flickr

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

It is that time of year again.
Plant in the fall /winter and hope the plants will develop in the spring.
I will plant 2-18 qt 15x 34 containers today

Mother fern
.
Fern bulbils soaking
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

Planting in an18 qt container topped off with piece of glass and a double 65k bulb setup.
.

Transplanting ferns
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr
.