GROW NATIVE FERNS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 13, 8 October 1937, Page 13

GROW NATIVE FERNS

It is now a good time to visit the bush and the mountains for a supply of seedlings for the glasshouse. That is, of course, for those who are able to go to such places. Ferns must not be moved from recognised fern gullies or tourism resorts. But there are many places where seedlings can be removed without doing any damage or loss to the scenery. Young ferns are easily grown, and rnove quickly grow into strong plants, if potteJ up, or planted in the ground into a good rich Joamy soil, having crusttd charcoal mixed with it. All ferns love charcoal. Bonedust is an excellent stimulant for ferns, and they respond with a very fine growth. Fern growing from spores is quite easy, and it is a wonder that more amateurs do not practice it. Spores are often abundant on the old fronds. The fronds should be gathered and dried, when the spores shake off like fine brown dust. This should be scattered on to a soil, composed of fine crushed old brick-dust, to which a little sau-1 and a very small supply of leafmould has been added. It is advisable to stund the pot inside a second pot, keeping these on a saucer, which is always supplied with water, and covering it with a piece of glass. The pot should be kept in a warm place. Greun, islimy, mossy growths will soon. appear — this is the first stage. Then quickly small fronds come, and very soon there is an abundance of the small young seedling ferns, which may be pricked off in boxes, and later on in pots.