Fern likes to reproduce on its own using its spores, which it allows to ripen in midsummer and be blown away by the wind. But it takes a year until the first plants appear! Find out here how propagation can be easier and faster
How do I propagate fern offshoots correctly?
Fern offshoots can be propagated by dividing the rootstock, cuttings or seed nodules. In spring or summer the rootstock is divided, in early summer cuttings can be cut and placed in soil, and in late summer brood nodules on fronds of the mother plant have matured.
Dividing the fern
Probably the most common and safest method for propagating ferns is by dividing the rootstock. You should tackle this procedure in spring or summer.
First choose a strong fern. Get him out of the ground! Then loosely shake off any clods of earth. Now you need a sharp and clean knife. This divides the rhizome in the middle. It is advantageous if each section has at least 2 fronds. After dividing, the rhizomes are planted in different places and watered.
Cut cuttings and plant
Furthermore, some ferns can be propagated through cuttings or head cuttings. This is only possible with those species that form above-ground rhizomes. It is best to carry out this propagation in early summer.
How it works:
- Select rhizome with existing fronds (they grow better later)
- Cut (above-ground) rhizome 4 to 5 cm behind the growing point
- place in pot with soil
- if applicable fasten with clasp
- Moisten the soil
- Put a plastic hood over it or check the damp environment daily
- Rooting duration: 3 to 5 weeks
- plant next spring
Use brood nodules for propagation
Other offshoots represent breeding nodules. Some fern species form these so-called breeding nodules on the underside of their fronds. These include, for example, the royal fern, the writing fern and the shield fern. The brood nodules, which are used for propagation, are usually located along the midrib of the fronds.
You have 2 different options. On the one hand, you can remove the brood nodules from the mother plant along with a piece of fronds. The whole thing is placed in moist soil and secured if necessary. On the other hand, you can simply bend the frond with the brood bulb and place it on the ground. After the brood nodules have rooted, they are separated from the mother plant.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to use brood nodules, you should wait until late summer. Only then are they mature.
