Let the fruits ripen, harvest and sow the seeds - that's how it works with most plants when it comes to reproduction or multiplication. But with ferns it's completely different
How do ferns reproduce?
Ferns reproduce via spores that form in capsules on the underside of the fronds. These spores are dispersed by the wind, germinate in moist and shady locations and undergo a pre-germination process that leads to the creation of a new fern plant.
Spores are used for reproduction
Unlike flowering plants, ferns do not reproduce via seeds, but via spores. Ferns do not produce flowers, fruits or seeds. They create spores that are used to reproduce.
Characteristics of the spores
The fern spores are located on the underside of the fronds. Capsules appear there, standing together in piles. The capsules usually ripen over the summer. They are greenish to brownish in color and usually roundish.
When the capsules are ripe, they dry and the spores they contain are released. The worm fern, for example, can contain up to 500 spores in a single capsule! The spores are distributed around the world with the wind.
Spores become seedlings and finally plants
This is how ferns reproduce via spores:
- Spores are blown to the ground
- They germinate in shady and moist locations
- After approx. 3 months a pre-germ is formed
- male and female reproductive organs arise on the underside of the precuneus
- male cells swim to the female eggs
- After fertilization, a single plant is created
- Duration: around 1 year
Some ferns also reproduce via runners
But the reproduction of ferns doesn't end with the spores. Some fern species, such as the spotted fern or the bracken, also reproduce using their runners. These can be several meters long. They can tolerate being cut without any problems.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to remove a fern, you should do so before the spores form. Once the spores have formed and the fronds are torn off, they can be easily distributed. Next year there will be new ferns
