How to grow potted maidenhair fern? Growing methods and precautions

Maidenhair fern, also known as wire grass, ironwire grass, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Adiantum in the family Pteridaceae. It has strong adaptability and is easy to cultivate. It is suitable for indoor potted viewing all year round. Small pots can be placed on a desk or coffee table, while larger pots can be used to decorate the windowsill, hallway or living room of a shaded room. It is also a good material for cut leaves and dried flowers. Now let us take a look at how to grow potted maidenhair fern!

Growth habits of maidenhair fern

Maidenhair fern prefers loose, permeable, fertile calcareous sandy loam. For potting, the growing medium can be made by mixing equal parts of loam, leaf mold and river sand. The suitable growth temperature is 21-25°C during the day and 12-15°C at night. The leaves can still remain fresh green when the temperature is above 5°C, but when it is below 5°C, the leaves will suffer frost damage. It prefers bright indirect light and is afraid of direct sunlight. Indoors, it should be placed in a bright place; even if placed for 1 year, it can still grow normally.

Propagation methods of maidenhair fern

1. Division propagation: Maidenhair fern can be propagated by division indoors in all four seasons, but it is generally done in early spring together with repotting. Take the mother plant out of the pot, cut its rhizome so that each piece has some rhizome and leaves, then plant them separately in small pots, cover the rhizomes with mixed soil, water them, and place them in a shady and humid environment for cultivation, and new plants can be obtained.

2. Spore propagation: Maidenhair fern can also be propagated by spores. Place peat and fine sand used as the substrate in an oven for high-temperature sterilization to kill pathogens and weed seeds. Then, put the sterilized soil into a shallow sowing pot, cut leaves with mature spores, collect the spores and evenly scatter them on the shallow sowing pot without covering with soil. Cover with a glass sheet, soak water from the bottom of the pot, keep the pot soil moist, and place it in a semi-shady environment at 20-25°C. After about one month, the spores can germinate into prothalli, and after they grow to fill the pot, they can be divided and planted.

How to grow potted maidenhair fern?

1. Soil: Maidenhair fern prefers loose, permeable, fertile calcareous sandy loam. For potting, the growing medium can be made by mixing equal parts of loam, leaf mold and river sand.

2. Watering: Maidenhair fern prefers a humid environment. During the peak growing season, it should be watered thoroughly. In addition to keeping the pot soil moist, attention should also be paid to relatively high air humidity. When the air is dry, sprinkle water around the plant. Especially in summer, water 1-2 times a day; if there is a lack of water, the leaves will shrivel. Avoid alternating dry and wet pot soil when watering, as this easily turns the leaves yellow.

3. Sunlight: Maidenhair fern prefers bright indirect light and is afraid of direct sunlight. If the light is too strong, the leaves will turn yellow and may even die. In summer, appropriate shading can be provided; long-term direct strong light will cause most of the leaves to turn yellow. Indoors, it should be placed in a dark place; even if placed for 1 year, it can still grow normally.

4. Temperature: Maidenhair fern prefers warmth and is also cold-tolerant. The suitable growth temperature is 21-25°C during the day and 12-15°C at night. In winter, it should be moved into a greenhouse. The leaves can still remain fresh green when the temperature is above 5°C, but when it is below 5°C, the leaves will suffer frost damage.

5. Fertilizing: Apply dilute liquid fertilizer 2-3 times a month to maidenhair fern. When fertilizing, do not let it stain the leaf surface, so as to avoid causing leaf rot. Because maidenhair fern likes calcium, an appropriate amount of lime and crushed eggshells should be added to the pot soil, and the effect will be better if calcium fertilizer is applied regularly. In winter, reduce watering and stop fertilizing.

6. Pests and diseases: Potted maidenhair fern often suffers from leaf blight. In the early stage, Bordeaux mixture can be used for control, and in severe cases, a 1000-1500 times solution of 70% thiophanate-methyl can be used for control. If scale insects harm the plant, a 1000 times solution of 40% omethoate can be used for control.

7. Pruning: After entering autumn, as the temperature drops, maidenhair fern enters a stage of slow growth, and the old leaves gradually turn yellow. At this time, they should be cut off.