Introduction: How to Grow Ferns From Spores
I eventually accepted that my poor little fern was really gone. When I went to clear out the planter to make room for something else, I notice little brown bumps on the underside of the dead fern's leaves. I immediately flashed back to my university botany class where I learned about the fern's life cycle. These little brown bumps contained sporangia (spores), a means by which ferns can reproduce. Although my little fern is gone, I could create new ferns from its spores.
Acquiring spores
Ferns tend to produce spores in the summer. I was fortunate with my fern since it already had spores by the end of June. Look for little brown-black bumps (sori) on the underside of the leaf (see image 2+3 above), maidenhair fern sori appear towards the front edge of the leaves. When you find a frond with sori, remove the whole frond and place it into a paper envelope and store for a couple of days in a dry location. After a few days there should be a fine dusting of brownish coloured spores in your envelope.
Planting
It is important to use sterile soil when germinating spores. I used a glass container with a narrow opening so that I can place a plastic lid over to prevent the soil from drying out. In the container I layered of pebbles, some activated charcoal (since the container has no drainage), then the sterile potting soil. Water the soil then sprinkle the spores sparsely over the surface. Put a lid on the container and keep indoors in a place where it can receive indirect light and importantly, make sure the soil does not dry out.
Growth
This part requires patience, as you can see from the dates on my pictures above this process can take a while (I started in July 2010). Also it is important to realize that the first things you see growing, the prothalli (gametophytes), look nothing like the mature fern (see description of fern life cycle below). Just remember to keep the soil moist at all times and eventually things will start happening.
When the young sporophytes begin to mature and crowd the growing container you may need to transplant. In February I divided the clump of young sporophytes into two and placed the other half into a similar glass container, at this point they are still quite delicate and so transplanting requires great care. By late April, they were again crowding their containers so I transplanted some into pots.
Fern Life Cycle |
Second Prize in the
Share Your Garden Photo Contest
Be the First to Share
Recommendations
Make It Bridge
Big and Small Contest
Game Design: Student Design Challenge
34 Comments
2 years ago on Introduction
What is the plant in the first picture with the long leaves and all the fuzzy brown spores? Maidenhair has triangular(ish) leaves with 6 or so dark dots on each leaf as the leaf grows old.
Reply 2 years ago
I think that is an sword fern. I added the picture to show what different ferns might look like with their spores.
Reply 2 years ago
like this... https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/45036065010304504... or this... https://garden.org/pics/2017-07-25/krystenr1/415b6...
5 years ago
fascinating. I want to try it.
8 years ago on Introduction
what is chaff and how do u tell it from the spores ?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
The chaff is the dry husk of seeds, it will be a lighter in weight so if you hold the envelope that you used to collect the spores at a slight angle and gently tap it against the table the chaff should separate out. Though it wouldn't be a problem if they get sprinkled onto the soil with the spores.
11 years ago on Introduction
Congratulations ChrysN!!!! :-)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
11 years ago on Introduction
This was fascinating, thanks! These look like the little 'extras' that used to show up occasionally in potted plants I brought home from the store, Nobody could really tell me what they were,except a nuisance! I thought they were cute & tried to get them to grow, but they always died. Any idea if this is what they were, some kind of spore?
Anyway, can you tell me how I would know how much to water these? You say not to let it dry out, but how do I know I'm not drowning it?Keep it damp,or water more? Thanks!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
In the early stages the soil needs to be damp (but don't flood) at all time, I had kept a lid on the growing container to prevent evaporation. When it is at the gametophyte stage it is particularly important for fertilization that the environment is humid (mist or spray with a spray bottle as needed). Once the sporophytes are bigger (see March pictures above) you can remove the lid of the container and water it as you would an adult fern.
11 years ago on Introduction
I love that you turned one balcony plant that met an untimely end into so many more plants to take its place. Your patience and photography really made this a great instructable. :thumbsup:
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Thanks, I'm quite happy how it turned out.
11 years ago on Introduction
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing and congrats! I have learned a lot
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
11 years ago on Introduction
Thank you so much for this! I love Maidenhair ferns and have killed my fair share. This is a great (albeit patient) way of creating a bunch of plants while being kind to my bank account. Great instructable!!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
11 years ago on Introduction
awesome job. Thanks for sharing! Where does one get activated charcoal?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I get it from my local walmart, in the pet supplies area. Look near the fish stuff.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
You can get activated charcoal from a pet store which stocks aquarium products. It's used as a filter medium in fish tank filters.
11 years ago on Introduction
Pretty neat. I have a ponytail palm at home in a pot, and at some point, a fern started growing next to it, presumably from airborne spores. Never thought to try growing ferns from spores myself, though...