BHT314 Ferns

A detailed look at the identification and culture of ferns. You learn to propagate (spores, division, tissue culture), different groupings (e.g. epiphytes, ground ferns, tree ferns) and both common & uncommon species. Growing techniques (baskets, indoor/outdoor containers, terrariums) and cultural methods (soils, watering, pest & disease control) are also examined.

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1 Introduction to ferns
Review of the system of plant identification, general characteristics of the ferns (especially the fronds), main groups of ferns (filmy, tree, terrestrial, epiphytic and water ferns), information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.), pronunciation of plant names.
2 Culture of ferns
How best to grow ferns and what conditions do they need. Planting, mulching, watering, pest & disease and their control, feeding, pruning, protection from wind, salt air, etc., compost making.
3 Propagation
Methods of propagating ferns - spores, division, tissue culture. Propagation of selected varieties.
4 The Most Commonly Grown Varieties.
Maidenhairs, tree ferns, stags, elks, common ground ferns. How to grow and propagate these ferns.
5 Other Important Groups.
Asplenium, Blechnum, Nephrolepis, Pteris and other groups. Group characteristics, cultural details, propagation methods.
6 Other Varieties
Hares foot fern, Bracken, Fans, Corals and Combs.
7 Making the best use of these Plants.
In containers, hanging baskets, terrariums, in the ground, as indoor plants, growing and showing, growing for profit (to sell the plants or what they produce).
8 Special Assignment - Detailed culture and identification of one genera.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims

Distinguish between different types of ferns in cultivation, including twenty different genera and fifty different varieties.
Determine critical cultural practices required to successfully grow ferns in different specified situations.
Determine the cultural requirements of specific fern varieties.
Apply various specialised techniques to the culture of ferns.
Prepare a planting plan for an area using ferns.

As ferns come from a huge range of habitats, it is difficult to set down hard and fast rules on how to best cultivate your ferns.
The easiest way to start is to choose ferns that best suit your climate.
Try to reproduce, as near as possible, the conditions which the plant grows in this natural environment.
If you are more adventurous or have a real fancy for particular ferns that may be hard to grow in your area, you will need to modify the growing conditions to suit. This may be as simple as growing ferns from warm areas indoors in cooler areas or providing additional water to moisture loving ferns being grown in drier areas. For the really keen grower it may involve the construction of a greenhouse to grow tropical and subtropical ferns or the installation of a comprehensive irrigation system.

While remembering the previous warning about over generalising on growing conditions for ferns there are, however, some general guidelines that can be followed:
• Most need protection from direct sun. Some love shade, but not all types. Semi shade is often ideal.
• Provide protection from direct wind. Hot dry winds will quickly dry out fern fronds. Strong winds will
easily damage the fronds.
• Most will grow well in pots, tubs, baskets, or any type of container provided they are kept moist. If
fronds dry out, the fronds will not revive (though in some cases the fern will reshoot from the roots).
• Well drained, but continually moist conditions are generally the rule (waterlogged conditions are only
suitable for 'some' varieties).
• The majority of terrestrial ferns prefer soils high in organic matter.
The incorporation of well rotted organic matter to your soil prior to planting will usually be beneficial.
Sandy soils should be avoided where possible as they are generally low in organic matter and drain
too quickly. Heavy clay or subsoil should be mixed well with coarse sand and organic
matter to improve the friability of the soil.
• If grown inside, ventilation is essential!
• Feed only with weak slow release fertilisers. Roots burn easily. Organic based fertilisers, including the seaweed based ones, are ideal.
• Most are propagated by spores, a few are propagated by vegetative means such as division.
• Most ferns will benefit from mulching, particularly when the mulch is composed of well rotted organic
matter.
• East or south aspects are preferred with plants planted beside a wall or fence. In hot north or inland
areas full shade and frequent watering (several times each day) may be necessary to achieve success with even the hardier varieties.
• Severe frosts can burn unprotected fronds.

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