Re: Maidenair Fern

In a message dated 02/10/2001 12:01:35 AM Central Standard Time, 
ECPep@aol.com writes:

<< 
 << Has anyone on this list struggled with Maidenhairs and then prevailed??  I
  love those ferns, but have had nothing but bad experiences.  They are not
  "easy" as advertised!! >> >>

The maiden hair fern: that I grow is Adiantum pedatum "American Maidenhair 
fern"

There are over 100 species and hybrids in this genus.  Most all are tropical 
or semi tropical.

There is one other species that is native to eastern North America and that 
is A. capillus-veneris also called "Southern Maidenhair" or "Venus-hair Fern" 
it is a semi tropical plant that has a large range around the world. This 
species is a lime stone loving plant.


OK back to the "real" maiden hair fern.

A. pedatum is a variable species, with a number of diffrent forms in 
cultivation- I know of at least 8 and there is many more I am sure.

The native form I have here grows 12 to 18 inches tall and has dark 
black-purple stems and very lacy attractive "leaves" that form a flat toped 
fan.

This fern likes shade-and moisture retentive soils but I have not seem them 
growing in wet soils.  They seem to do best in the wild on steep slopes 
facing away from were the afternoon sun comes up-they like it dark and cool.

This species does not do well in hot-humid climates and does best in the 
North.

I have a few clumps that I moved 15 years ago that are still going strong-the 
rhizomes should be planted no deeper than 1/2 inch in the soil-they do not 
like to be pot bound-so if you are buying one-makes sure that the rhizome in 
not wrapped around the pot.

They like medium acid soils and do best with a moisture retentive sandy loam 
mixed with a heavy dose of humus or leaf mold. They also respond well to a 
generous amount of compost in the fall.

My clumps are growing in dry clay and would be much more happy if and when I 
find the time to "fix" the soil, maybe this year after I get rid of all the 
Trillium seedlings.

They form nice medium size clumps and over time can grow into a nice colony.

The fern that I have failed at growing is Botrchium virginianum, I have 
killed off five or six of them and have given up, my wild flower garden is 
just too dry.

Paul



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