Re: Painted ferns

> From: Anelle Kloski <akloski@JPS.NET>
> Someone once kindly sent a message about how to propagate Japanese
> Painted Ferns.  It was something like putting leaves with spores
into  a
> paper bag for collection, etc.  Some of my plants now have spores
(not
> all of them) but they look immature.  Could someone tell me how to
> proceed?  Thanks
----------
Well, Anelle, I have yet to actually propagate fern from spore, but
looking toward that day, I've saved numerous posts from the fern
list.

First of all...when is your spore ready?  This from one post:

"New fronds the spore is totally encased in the sporangium.

Old fronds the spore casing is "fluffy" and the sore is gone.

Somewhere in-between is what you are looking for, just before or as
the casing is opening to release the spore.

By looking at the new and old you can then distinguish ( try two
pairs of glasses) perhaps some or all of the sporangium in a part or
full opening stage."

You can sow spore as soon as you collect it and clean it.  People use
white paper to lay the frond on so they can see the spore when it
drops and clean the trash out of it better.  I wouldn't use a brown
paper bag, myself, you'd have a hard time seeing the spore.

Cleanliness is very important in dealing with fern spore because
there are so many mold and fungi spore in the air.

There are many methods of sowing spore and sterilizing soil, etc.
Here are some:

1)  Put wet medium (peat & sand or peat based potting soil without
added fertilizers) in a microwave safe plastic container (deli
containers are good), cover with microwavable plastic wrap and
microwave for 20-30 minutes.  When it cools, sow the spore, enclose
in a zip lock plastic bag.

2)  Pour boiling water or nearly boiling water over your containers
filled with medium; cover with clean towel or paper towel and when it
cools, sow the spore, enclose in zip lock plastic bag or clear
plastic box with lid.

3)  Use peat jiffy pellets; put in a clear plastic box with lid -
pour boiling water over them; pour out excess water; sow seed, cover
box.

4) Use the jiffy sevens, put each in an aluminum foil cupcake liner
and cover with a plastic cocktail glass to make a miniature humid
dome. Jiffys can be kept wet by putting water in the cupcake liners.
Cut down the netting to the top of the peat on the jiffys after they
are wet.  Or, you can use jiffy 9s which are smaller and have no net.

All methods - put the sown spore in a bright spot - north window -
but NOT in direct sun.  Wait.  It can take some time - like weeks or
months - for prothalli to appear and then for them to produce
sporophytes.  If your container is sealed, you shouldn't have to add
water, but if you do, use boiled water.

Sow thinly - one post said that even if you think you've done that,
you will have sown too thickly:-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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