Adiantum Species, Rosy Maidenhair Fern, Rough Maidenhair Fern

I would say this is the second easiest of the common maidenhairs to grow..only the southern maidenhair will grow larger and faster. A.his...Read Morepidulum is a little more resistant to slugs and snails-but be on watch. Its darker coloration is a nice contrast to the southern maidenhair. I haven't noticed any special soil needs.Generic fern conditions are fine..the better the soil,more water and fertilizer will get you a bigger hispidulum. Perfect for the bay area.

I am not positive on the identification of my plants, but they match the photos closely. The young fronds are a pinkish-copper turning da...Read Morerk green. If it is not actually Adiantum Hispidulum it is a closely related species. It is definitely an Adiantum.
I grow this plant from spores, which it produces copiously. Spores will not grow in a household humidity, but sprout readily under terrarium conditions.
Collect the spores by simply leaving a small pot of moist potting soil under the plant for a week or so.
Set the pot in a saucer of water until the surface of the soil is wet. Then place the pot in a small clear container. Seal the container with plastic wrap and place it in a well lit place out of direct sunlight.
After about a month, small mossy looking plants will appear. This is the gametophyte generation of the fern. they will take the form of a small, flat, ruffled disk. In my experience, you can expect several hundred of these, many more than you can raise to maturity without a large greenhouse. Thin them out to as many plants as you think you can handle. Space them about 3/4" apart. After thinning, seal them back into the container.
After about another month, small fronds will appear out of the center of each prothallium. these are the sporophyte generation and will grow into the full size plant. when about an inch to 1 1/2 inches tall, transplant to 2" pots, but keep them in a terrarium until they reach a 4" pot size for maximum growth. Then slowly open the terrarium and acclimate the plants to room humidity.
These ferns, I have found, tolerate low humidity about as well as a Boston fern if kept reasonably moist, but they need to be carefully watched. Once the surface of the soil becomes dry, they MUST be watered immediately. Their leaves do not wilt, so you get no warning. They die in a matter of hours once the soil in the interior of the pot is dry. They have no way of storing water in roots or stems.
But there is one relief. If the plant is mature, there will be viable spores. Place some of the dried leaves in a white paper envelope and shake vigorously. A dark brown dust will fall out. Sprinkle this dust on the surface of a pot of moist soil and treat as above.
I find this fern is a good companion for African violets and other low light plants. Cultivation is not hard as long as the plants are kept evenly moist. Large plants can be divided like any herbaceous perennial, but will not survive frost. Use as a house plant in the north.

This fern is native to Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Malaysia, India, Aust...Read Moreralia, and New Zealand.

I have not personally grown this fern, but discovered it on a recent garden tour here in So Cal- turns out to be an excellent garden plan...Read Moret requiring a lot less moisture and care than 'standard' Adiantums, and the new red leaves are a great added bonus. Native of New Zealand