You go to the seed department at the hardware store looking for fern seeds. But seeds from these plants cannot be found anywhere. There are no seeds on the internet either. There is only talk of spores
How to propagate fern without seeds?
Fern plants do not reproduce through seeds, but through spores that mature in capsules on the underside of their fronds. Spore maturation usually occurs between June and September. To sow the spores, spread them on moist substrate and cover them with a plastic bag.
No seeds, but spores
In contrast to the flowering plants, a fern produces neither a flower nor a fruit or a seed. But how do these plants reproduce? They do this using their spores, which are usually found on the underside of their fronds.
When time comes, maturity comes
The spores sit in roundish capsules. As a rule, the spores of most fern species mature between June and September. When ripe, the capsules open and the spores they contain fall out and are spread by the wind.
Spores are poisonous when inhaled
Many fern species such as the bracken are extremely poisonous. Even its spores are poisonous. You don't have to eat them. All you have to do is inhale the extremely fine spores. Especially those who want to rid a large area of poisonous ferns should wear a breathing mask (€30.00 on Amazon) when in contact with the plants and especially when the spores are maturing!
Sowing instructions for the spores
If you have obtained spores of a type of fern that you would like to sow, use the following sowing instructions:
- Fill the seed substrate into the seed tray or pot
- Moisten the substrate
- Distribute fern spores on the substrate
- Place the plastic bag or suitable plastic lid for the seed tray over it
- ventilate daily
- place in a warm place (20 to 25 °C)
Patience is required when sowing fern spores. Don't be disappointed if after several weeks nothing happens. It often takes up to 3 months for a greenish coating to form over the sowing soil.
Small fern plants will slowly develop from the greenish coating over the next few months. On average, the young ferns are developed after 1 year. Then they can be pricked if necessary.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to harvest the spores from a fern yourself, you should cut off the entire frond. At home, a sheet of paper is placed on the frond. After 24 to 48 hours, the spores fell out of the capsules.
