skip to main content

Tips on growing ferns from spores? Have prothallia!

11 years ago

This year I decided I'd try my hand at growing ferns from spores. I purchased native spores from 2 different places on E-Bay/Etsy. I'm happy to say that both my Lady Fern and my Intermediate Wood Fern trays are growing prothallia! Yay! Nothing from the Ostrich Fern yet, but it's only been 6 weeks.

The directions I have say to thin them to 1 or 2 per 3 inch area, or they will grow only male organs. I'm trying to figure out a few things:

1) When do I thin them? Soon? Now? Honestly, the Lady Fern showed the first flush of prothallia 1-2 weeks ago, but we lost power for 3 days and I had bronchitis, so transplanting didn't happen. It was just a sprinkling then, though, and the prothallia have gotten bigger leaf-like parts, as well as come in thicker. They are still incredibly tiny, though so I'm dreading trying to figure out what 1 is. My directions say when they grow to 3/8," they develop male & female organs.

2) Is it possible to carefully transplant some of the prothallia to another container? I sewed my fern spores in one 1020 tray per type of spore, and I'd really like to get as many ferns as possible. If I just thin them in the tray, I won't end up with that many.

3) I'm hoping spraying with a splash of hydrogen peroxide in the water will take care of that unwanted fungus. Any tips?

I'm so excited! I've wanted to grow ferns from spores for years, and I'm delighted it's working. The two that are growing are from an Etsy seller about 60-90 minutes' drive from me, too, so my guess is they'll be quite happy in my garden once they get there.

Thanks. I'm also going to cross-post on the Ferns forum.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

lycopus
11 years ago
They can be transplanted any time provided they are kept moist. I've never put H2O2 on fern gametophytes so couldn't tell you what it would do to them. My guess it wouldn't be good. Control of fungi is best accomplished at the start by pasteurizing the soil prior to sowing spores.
candogal
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the tip! I do always pasteurize my seed starting soil by wetting it, then microwaving it for 8 minutes, then letting it sit covered until cool. I did this for the ferns. Plus I washed the trays and covers with a dilute bleach solution. I must've not been thorough enough, or there was something in the air. I've been peeking, so some fungal spores could have gotten in.

I decided to scoop out the fungal/mold areas with a kitchen spoon. So far, no re-growth. We'll see. I've used hydrogen peroxide with veggie and flower seedlings a couple times in the past, though I really don't have problems with molds in my seedlings.

The Ostrich Fern is showing some signs of growth now. Fingers still crossed!

I found this great article by Bill Cullina about growing ferns from spores, in case anyone is interested.

Here is a link that might be useful: NEWFS on growing Ferns
Related Discussions
Walking Fern, growing tips needed
Q
Comments (5)
Old topic, but I was looking for information on when the spores are ready. I have seen this fern in the wild in NC and have once, when given spores, successfully germinated it and given away many babies over the years. Now I would like to start another group of these plants but am not certain when these spores are ready. Anyone out there have an idea? I have successfully grown other ferns from spores, but usually somebody gives me the spores. I seem unable to collect them at the right time.
...See More
Best time to gather Giant Chaine Fern spores?
Q
Comments (3)
Don't worry about the 'best time'. All that matters is that you choose a SUITABLY RIPE fertile frond - they appear right the way through the season, and are especially plentiful round about now. Lots and lots of information on the net on how to harvest spore and recognize fertile fronds at exactly the right stage for sampling. Green sporangia are not ready yet; brown and already opened sporangia cases are too late; intact greeny-brown sporangia are the ones to look for. Dehisced spore dust will stay viable if stored in the refrigerator, so don't feel you HAVE to start propagating right away. But whatever time of year you decide to begin propagating, bear in mind that you need a bright and fairly warm spot - in winter, that inevitably means an indoor windowsill or a propagator box under growlights. Do you know why you failed before? That's worth understanding first before you go any further.
...See More
Got Fern Spores?
Q
Comments (3)
I have some in Los Angeles. Are still on leaf - whitish silver coloring. Don't know if they are ready for harvest yet - I think they eventually turn dark brown. Not Superbum or grande. When do you think they will be ready? What is best method for propogation? Its November 6th, 2006 today. Mike in LA
...See More
When to start ferns from spores
Q
Comments (2)
I've grown them from spores before. Some are easier than others. Holly ferns are very easy. Any fern that is inexpensive is probably easy to reproduce from spores, that's why they are inexpensive. The way I did it: wet some sphagnum moss and put it in small plastic pots or cups. I used small ice cream cups with round tops. Soak the spahgnum for a bit in some consan, which is a fungicide and bacteriocide. Put it in the cups, and sprinkle the spores on it. Put the tops on the cups and put them under fluorscent lights. Mist them if the sphagnum starts drying out. Some will grow more quickly then others, but they will take a year or so before they're large enough to plant outdoors, maybe longer. Most are slow growers. Here's a link to the Houston Fern Society, which I used to be a member, of, and this is the way they showed us to reproduce them from spores. Do you know how to collect ripe spores? If you get a magnifying glass, you can see the ripe spores burst out of the spore capsules. It's fun to watch that! You'll find some info here or in the American Fern Society link, I believe. http://www.tgcfernsoc.org/fern.html Here is a link that might be useful: American Fern Society
...See More
lycopus
11 years ago
Though I don't know what effect the hydrogen peroxide will have, if it damages cells at all the prothalli will be particularly vulnerable because they are a single cell thick. If you try it do it on just a few of them to see what it does.

I am currently growing several species of Dropteris and have a few sporophytes popping up after about 3 months. Once the gametophytes are mature spraying with purified water can help with fertilization. Some people like to flood them but I find spraying works well too. If they start looking a little yellow some dilute fertilizer can help them green back up.
Lynda Waldrep
11 years ago
Last year I was too busy to go through all of the protocols, and I was happy to see that my walking fern spores had good results anyway. Dumb luck, or just great spores??

Related Stories

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY Remodeling After Water Damage: Tips From a Homeowner Who Did It

By Judith Taylor Designs

Learn the crucial steps and coping mechanisms that can help when flooding strikes your home

GARDENING GUIDES What Kind of Roses Should You Grow?

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want to add the beauty of roses to your garden? Find out which ones, from old-fashioned to modern, are right for you

SPRING GARDENING Summer Crops: How to Grow Strawberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pluck your own sweet strawberries right from the garden vine for smoothies, salads or eating then and there

URBAN GARDENS One Fern Day

By Jen L'Italien

Think terrariums are tiresome? Unusual containers and unexpected greens yield surprising offshoots

HOUSEPLANTS Get a Tropical Splash With a Bird's Nest Fern

By creative jewish mom.com

Sword-shaped leaves make this fern a stunning accent — and you can even mount it on wood for a wall hanging

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Western Sword Fern Adds Prehistoric Drama

For distinctive looks and easy care in a shade garden, go for North American native Polystichum munitum

FERNS The Indoor Gardener: Reconsider Fabulous Ferns

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Delicate to exuberant, ferns come in all manner of styles and add bursts of freshness to your interior decorating

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Northern Maidenhair Fern Softens Shade Gardens

Stir up some romance in dark corners with the billowy fronds of native Adiantum pedatum

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

Try this giant among ferns for a showstopping sight in a shady or even somewhat sunny woodland garden

Sponsored

More Discussions

cold stratification?

1