Ferns: How to Grow Them and How to Propagate Them by Division

Ferns are woody plants that grow in lowlands. They need water as part of their reproductive cycle, and they began to diversify into many different species; even today they remain an extremely vigorous group of plants. Ferns have a life cycle of alternating generations, cycling between the diploid sporophyte and the haploid gametophyte.

The typical life cycle of a fern begins with the sporophyte producing haploid spores through meiosis; the spores divide by mitosis to form the gametophyte; the gametophyte produces reproductive cells through mitosis; the motile, flagellated sperm fertilises the egg, which is still attached to the prothallus; the fertilised egg forms a diploid zygote and grows into the sporophyte through mitosis.

How to Grow Ferns

Different ferns have different suitable growing regions, and varieties selected from different regions vary in their adaptability. For example, the pH of the soil is very important to the growth of ferns; most ferns need an acidic growing environment, and if this is overlooked, their growth will suffer. Osmunda japonica, for instance, is suited to growing in slightly acidic soil, so it is easy to grow in the south. But because water in the north tends to be alkaline, if you want to grow it well you need to treat the water, otherwise it will get worse and worse as it grows.

Division Propagation

Division propagation means tipping the plant out of its pot and, as needed, splitting one plant into several, each of which must have roots and leaves. Be careful when dividing, and never damage the growing points; keep as much soil around the roots as possible. Cut off aged and damaged leaves and roots. Replant the divisions at the original soil line and water them. Division propagation has no strict seasonal requirement; if needed, it can be done in any of the four seasons.

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