| Description: |
Ferns with two or three different leaf types, one of which spreads across the substrate to form a water- and soil-holding ôbasket.ö |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the South/East/West |
| Soil Type: |
Does not require soil, adhere the plant to a piece of bark with a piece of wire. Place some sphagnum moss between the plant and the bark.
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| Watering: |
Drench the soil and let it become moderately dry between waterings. If you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed monthly spring through fall with a water soluble fertilizer. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to scale, mealy bugs and aphids. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Division and spores
in the spring.
After dividing plant, pot in the plant's regular potting mix. Take spores from ripe spore cases on the undersides of the fronds. Put the spores in an envelope and allow to dry. Place a brick in a plastic box or pan and put 2 inches (5cm) of distilled water in it and cover the brick with a quarter inch of moist peat. Sprinkle spores on the peat and cover the container with a piece of glass or plastic. Be sure to maintain the water level. Place in low light, after a few months a green moss like growth should cover the peat. Eventually leaves will appear, divide and transplant after they are 2 inches (5cm) tall.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and occasionally plunge the plant into a pot of warm water .
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