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Re: Ferns

Hi Guys

In your case it appears the fern spore developed the initial growth called
Prothalli.  This is the sexual stage where fertilization takes place.( not
like your normal flower)  There is a need for humidity so the male sperm
can swim and fertilize the female.  

I find some spore is not 100% viable because it is collected at the wrong
time.  In this case it appears they are not quite viable, maybe the spore
is old and has lost its viability.  Also the conditions for fertilization
may not be correct in some way.  

Some species may only fully fertilize in their correct season, although
generally Adiantums grow prolific from spore anytime.  Even though you have
Prothallis, they may take from 6 months to a year to fertilize. 

Harsh spraying may destroy the male sperm, so gentle misting is the answer.
Adiantums will also fertilize on water.

If the Prothalli is abundant and tightly packed it may need to be
separated.  But I don't find this to be a real problem. 

My suggestion is to try another batch of spore. 

Keith Rogers

Mannum  South Australia

Newsletter Editor,  Fern Society of South Australia

kerogers@lm.net.au  (LM in lowercase)


----------
> From: Roger Hughes <rphughes@lcc.net>
> To: seeds-list@eskimo.com
> Subject: Ferns
> Date: Sunday, April 12, 1998 11:26 AM
> 
> Hello, 	
> I am new to this group.  I need help on propagating Adiantum venustum. 
> Spores germenate fast, but fail to produce sporlings. The spores were
> planted in Oct. 97.  They have been divided out and sprayed frequently.
> Only 1 or 2 sporelings per hundred prothalli.
> Any info would be helpful.
> Roger
> 

Roger, 
I have been told that if you sow fern spores too thickly, you get all male
prothalli.  Could this be the problem?

Rick Grazzini

Roger,

	Try flooding them completely for 24 hours.  If that does not work I
would try thinning them well and trying again when they are larger.  I
think that you might have all males too if they are sown too thick.

Peter
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