fern propagation

How to collect spores

- American Fern Society (AFS)

- British Pteridological Society BPS

American Fern Society spore viability test

Spores sown on sterilized Pro-Mix HP soil or hydroponic agar and maintained for 8-16 weeks at room temperature 11 inches below two 20W cool white, fluorescent tubes (or equivalent) illuminated 14 hours per day.

Problems encountered during fern propagation

1. browning leaves during hardening phase 

When to collect spores

Fern spores germinated at Walmer Woodlands

1. Ctenitis subglandulosa (Hance) Ching 
2. Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott, Christmas Fern (NC Native) 
3. Dryopteris erythrosora (D.C.Eaton) Kuntze 'Brilliance', Autumn Fern
4. Dryopteris marginalis (L.) A.Gray, Marginal Wood Fern (NC Native)
5. Homalosorus pycnocarpos (Spreng.) Pic.Serm., Glade Fern (NC Native)
6. Onoclea sensibilis L., Sensitive Fern (NC Native)
7. Osmunda claytoniana L., Interrupted Fern (NC Native)
8. Osmunda regalis L., Royal Fern (NC Native)
9. Osmundastrum cinnamomeum L., Cinnamon Fern (NC Native)
10. Polypodium virginianum L., Rock Polypody (NC Native)
11. Polystichum munitum, Western Sword Fern
12. Thelypteris palustris Schott, Marsh Fern (NC Native)
13. Woodsia obtusa (Spreng.) Torr., Blunt-lobed Cliff Fern (NC Native)
14. Woodwardia areolata (L.) T.Moore, Netted Chain Fern (NC Native)

Fern spores germinated at NCBG

1. Dryopteris celsa (W.Palmer) Knowlt., T.S.Palmer & Pollard ex Small (NC Native) 
2. Dryopteris ludoviciana (Kunze) Small (NC Native) 
3. Dryopteris sp?
4. Phegopteris hexagonoptera (Michx.) Fée, Broad Beech Fern (NC Native) 
5. Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott, Christmas Fern (NC Native) 
6. Thelypteris kunthii (Desv.) C.V.Morton (NC Native)