Description
This is my favorite fern. I’ve seen it growing in a variety of conditions from rotting logs to clinging to misty rocky cliffs alongside water falls in shady woodland settings. The layered effects of the soft fronds is very attractive and perfect along moist shady pathways, ponds, and riparian areas. Being deciduous, it erupts from the crown in spring. If you do have it in the garden its probably best to mark its spot before fall die back so you don’t step on the crowns.
- Seed/spore Count: +100
- Collection Date: October 2025
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Height and Width: 45cm x 100cm
- Habitat: dappled shade; moist humus rich soil; natural habitat: moss covered rocky outcrops, trees and logs.
- Family:
How to germinate Adiantum pedatum seeds
Prepare a well draining humus rich acidic moist medium and pack firm into pots or plug trays. Sterilize medium surface via pouring very hot or boiling water on the surface. Sow only when the medium is cool to the touch. Mix with a very small amount of 20/30 grade clean silica sand. Just enough sand to coat the grains in fine spore and distribute evenly over the surface (you should see more medium than sand when done). Mist well as to wash the spore from the sand grains and onto the medium surface. A clear humidity retaining covering is essential to keep everything moist. Give 15-25C and 10 hrs/day of bright indirect light. Now things get weird. The spore ‘hatch’ to create a blanket of green of female and male prothalli. These produce gametes. Sperm swims to the egg and, voila!, fertilization occurs. From the female prohalli, small fronds will appear. The medium should be sufficiently hydrated and the humidity is securely maintained. Misting when the sperm are swimming will result in failure. Not having adequate moisture to thwart sperm mobility is equally as fatal. It might sound complicated, but judging from all the ferns that pop up in my medium without prompting, its fairly easy.
