How to grow fern
How to grow fern
The ferns belong to the Pteridophytes (Pteridophyta, from the Greek πτερίς “pteris” which means fern) and are a division of vascular cryptogamous plants to which belong species usually known as ferns, horsetails. They are cormophytes, that is, constituted by a stem, true roots and leaves, and possess a vascular system. The ferns are in fact the first terrestrial plants that have begun to differentiate a fluid transport system. They are very common plants both outdoors, in shady areas and in apartments. In this guide we will see how to grow the fern.
They are plants without flowers and for reproduction they use spores that spread in the surrounding environment. Meanwhile, the fern is one of the anti-pollution crates that purify the air and therefore very suitable in the city.
If you decide to plant the fern in outdoor areas you have to choose areas a little ‘in the shade, not too sunny, although it depends on the variety. The ground must be quite humid but never in stagnant conditions. For this reason a well drained and soft soil should be chosen, possibly light. The ferns are very resistant to the cold, while they are very strenuous during periods of intense heat; this explains why it is always better to choose a shaded area for this type of plant.
As for the plant, the best period is spring, before the advent of high temperatures. The fern must be implanted in a hole deep enough to add sand and garden soil and, after having gently compacted the whole, the fern will be in the best conditions to grow.
Like all plants that love humid environments it is advisable never to forget to water it without causing stagnations that would cause harmful parasitic attacks on the plant. we recommend, where possible, vaporization on the leaves.
For the fertilization of the plant it is useful to find mature manure that should be added twice a year (end of winter and summer) or in the absence of the compost prepared by you.
Among the pests, even if ferns are very resistant plants, we remember some cochineals, which is rather easy to notice as they can be glimpsed as blackish growths. In this case it is possible to resort to Marseilles soap.
When creating a habitat suitable for this plant in a home environment, it is advisable to use a base with pumice stones and / or expanded clays to be moistened continuously to make it evaporate without letting it get to the base of the vase to avoid dangerous stagnation.
Among the varieties of ferns we mention: the Athyrium, which includes about two hundred types of deciduous ferns; Athyrium ferns grow spontaneously in the presence of moist forests all over the world; the Lady in red variety that reaches about sixty centimeters in height and is characterized by many subtle divided fronds; the Bradford Rambler which is not more than thirty centimeters tall and its leaves are yellowish-green in color while the stem is red; the Filix-femine that reaches about a meter and a half in height; the Niponicum var. pictum which has light green or silver fronds and has purple veins in the center.