Planting and caring for garden ferns
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But if in the first case, a carefully dug bush falls into the ground almost instantly, and the gardener may not take measures to further protect the roots, then the fern brought from afar is threatened with drying out and death.
To protect the plant from moisture loss, which is critical for the culture, the rhizomes are wrapped with a damp cloth or moss before transportation, without disturbing the remaining earthen lump. If the leaves have time to droop before planting, they will no longer regain their elasticity even after watering. To simplify further care, the planting of garden ferns is carried out immediately.
The place is chosen so that the greenery does not suffer from direct sunlight, and the soil retains little moisture for as long as possible. Plants are undemanding to the composition of the soil, the main thing is that the substrate is loose. Sandy loam mixtures with a high humus content are well suited.
In the future, it is important to water the plant regularly at intervals of 5-7 days. And carry out top dressing using complex products, including organic matter and mineral supplements
The optimum temperature for garden ferns is 15–25 ° C. On summer days, especially in well-lit areas, plants require more moisture, and they are excellent for watering with watering foliage.
If a fern planted in the garden grows quickly, then after three years it may grow and require thinning and restriction. This is done in early spring, carefully removing old specimens and dividing the bushes. Along the way, you should outline the boundaries of the site intended for the garden fern by digging a special mesh, geotextile, slate or boards to a depth of at least 20 cm.
How to plant and care for a plant
Although the plant is not moody, certain requirements must be met to obtain beautiful, lush bushes.
- The open ground where the planting will take place should be in the shade. In the sun, the plant withers and can quickly die.
- The soil in the place of the planned cultivation should be loose, since the roots of the plant are demanding on the presence of air.
Absolutely all varieties prefer moist soils. Therefore, plant care should include abundant and frequent watering. In this case, stagnation of water is unacceptable. Landing should be accompanied by a good drainage device. Mineral fertilizer can be added to the water for irrigation 2-3 times per season.
- It is advisable to plant ferns in a flowerbed in the open field in the spring, as soon as fronds begin to bloom. In warm weather, with good care, the plant takes root well.
- Planting should take place immediately after digging up the process, so that the roots do not have time to dry out and the leaves wither.
- The main fern care is timely watering. This should especially be monitored in the first year after planting and during hot, dry periods.
It is very good if it is possible to mulch the soil under the plant with coniferous needles. This will keep the soil loose and moist, which will have a positive effect on strengthening the root system. Of course, maintenance includes removing old or broken leaves on a regular basis. This will not only give the plant an aesthetic appearance, but also contribute to the growth of new wai.
Such varieties as leaflet and kochedzhnik are not particularly frost-resistant. For the winter, they need to be covered with leaves or a small layer of peat.
What types are suitable for growing in the garden
There are about ten thousand species of fern. Some of these are the most popular for gardening.
Male shieldworm
One of the highest grades. The bushwort can reach one and a half meters in height, but it grows very slowly. Unpretentious plant, does not require special care. Perfect for decorating a plot. Propagated by parts of the rhizome.
Female kochedyzhnik
The most famous and beautiful fern. Possesses openwork large leaves, collected in a large bunch. Vai can reach 1 m, while remaining the same airy.
Note! Propagated by spores that ripen by July. A feature is the constant formation of new leaves.
Bush's shield maker
A perennial plant that reproduces by spores. Reaches a height of 1.2 m. A large plant with a rosette of lanceolate leaves that form a beautiful regular bowl. The rhizome is large and powerful.
Asplenium
There are several varieties of this plant. Some tolerate frost well, others love only warmth. Therefore, when choosing, it is worth consulting with a specialist. In general, it is a beautiful plant with spreading foliage and decorative appearance.
Common centipede
An average plant with a long rhizome, it quickly takes up the entire territory. It is often used to decorate rockeries and rock gardens. Bright flowers look great against its background. When disembarking, the direction of growth is taken into account and, if necessary, props are installed.
Common ostrich
A tall bush with beautiful, delicate foliage that resembles feathers. Used to create curbs, lawns. Plants with a bright color look advantageous against its background.
Japanese leaflet
The plant is of an unusual appearance, the leaves are randomly arranged and have a dark green color. The size of an adult bush reaches 40 cm. It is used for alpine slides. It tolerates partial shade well.
Maidenhair foot
A beautiful plant that grows up to 30 cm. The adult plant is very similar to a fountain, fronds grow in tiers. The fern is great for the garden.
Undersized woodsia
The fern is small in size, often found in nature on rock ledges. Plant height reaches 20 cm, and sometimes less. It grows for quite a long time, it can stay in one place for more than 30 years.
Fern species
Modern ferns, like their prehistoric ancestors, prefer a humid and warm climate. For this reason, they are most common in the tropics and subtropics. However, even in the middle lane, the plant does well. Although, unlike the southern territories, among our ferns there are no tall tree-like varieties - only herbaceous plants.
The following types of ferns are most commonly used in horticulture:
Female kochedyzhnik
Its other name is female fern. The leaves of the plant reach a height of 1 m. From the outside they seem light, almost weightless, thanks to the openwork wai pattern. Due to the large size of the bush, it is better to plant in places protected from the wind.
The plant is very hardy. Prefers shaded areas. Loves moist soil, can even tolerate excessive moisture. For this reason, it is suitable for planting in low-lying areas. It can grow in one place for more than 10 years.
Hairy bone
A very interesting type of fern with a specific smell. A distinctive feature of the plant is the stem of black or brown color. The height is small - 10-35 cm.
In the wild, it is most often found in rock crevices. Perfect for rockeries and rock gardens.
The hairy bone is used in medicine. It is used as an expectorant, sedative, laxative and other remedies, as well as against hair loss.
Orlyak ordinary
One of the most common fern species. It is absent only in the Arctic and dry places of the planet - in deserts and steppes.
The largest specimens can reach 1.5 m in height. The average size of these plants is 30-100 cm.The common bracken thrives best in partial shade, but it can also grow in open places. Prefers light and infertile soils. Thanks to the powerful rhizome, which lies at great depths, it multiplies easily. There are states where this plant is considered a weed.
In some countries, it is used in cooking. Young shoots or leaves of the plant are eaten. They are fried, salted, pickled, used for salads.
Bracken is widely used in folk medicine for healing wounds, treating coughs, rheumatism, etc.
Male shieldworm
Male fern is the most common fern in the middle lane. And on the planet, it can be found almost everywhere: in the tundra, and in the Arctic, and in the Mediterranean, and in Greenland.
Prefers shade and partial shade, but also occurs in open areas. Grows best in slightly acidic soils. It has a rather delicate rhizome, which is very difficult to recover after injury.
As a medicine, thyme was used in Antiquity and in the Middle Ages. For treatment, a rhizome is used, which is generally poisonous. For this reason, all medicines prepared from the male thyme can be used only after consulting a doctor.
Common ostrich
The species got its name for the leaves, similar in shape to the feather of an ostrich. In addition to the official one, it has more than 10 different names. Distributed in North America, Asia and Europe.
The ostrich prefers shady places. Loves moist soils, but does not tolerate waterlogging. Plant height ranges from 1.5 m in Europe to 4 m in Asia.
The plant has two types of leaves: sterile and spore-bearing. Fertile (spore-bearing) are located inside the plant, they are smaller and differ in color from sterile leaves: at first they are light green, and then they turn dark brown. For the winter, sterile leaves (their main function is photosynthesis) die off, and spore-bearing leaves remain to winter. In the spring, ripe spores pour out of them, which give life to new plants.
The leaves and rhizome of the ostrich are used in medicine.
Which fern is suitable for growing in a summer cottage
Photo of fern cultivar Asplenium
There are many varieties of fern. If you wish, you can experiment and plant any variety in your garden. But most likely the exotic plant will not withstand the difficult climatic conditions of the middle zone and will die. These ferns are best grown indoors. And for growing in the garden, more hardy varieties are suitable, the viability of which has been tested empirically and confirmed by many gardeners.
Asplenium - small bushes that amaze with their beauty from mid-spring and literally before the first snowfall, the autumn weather does not scare them.
Female kochedzhnik - can grow up to seventy centimeters, is not afraid of frost. It can grow in one place for ten years without losing its decorative effect.
Nippon Kochedzhnik - this plant strikes with a beautiful silvery-green color of leaves with purple veins. In order for this contrast to look more noticeable, the fern must be in the sun in the morning.
Common ostrich is the most common variety in our country. It is not capricious and requires almost no maintenance.
Photo of a fern variety Ostrich ordinary
The shieldworm is not only beautiful, but also unpretentious and frost-hardy.
Osmunda, Adiantum, Mnogoryadnik are rather tall varieties, beautiful and unpretentious, but they do not tolerate the cold season well. Therefore, it is recommended to grow them in the southern regions.
Bracken is a frost-resistant, beautiful and unpretentious variety. However, planting it in a summer cottage is not recommended, since the plant contains poison that can harm excessively voracious or curious pets.
Photo of a fern variety Orlyak
Pros and cons of growing ferns
Its beautiful foliage and ease of care have made this plant very popular with flower growers. The main advantages of ferns are:
- unpretentiousness;
- frost resistance;
- shade tolerance.
The main disadvantage of ferns is that they grow very quickly, filling everything around and displacing other plants. To prevent your site from turning into fern thickets, its growth must be controlled and limited.
The disadvantages, perhaps, can be attributed to the fact that on the sunny side of the site the fern is unlikely to please you with its appearance: most varieties in the sun become shallow and pale.
Popular varieties
To succeed in cultivating a fern in the garden, it is worth choosing the right type of this plant.
Female kochedyzhnik
This culture is characterized by dissected leaves that form bundles. Under natural conditions, it grows in swamps, forming hummocks. The size is determined by the type of crop and can reach 30-70 centimeters. The roots of the bush are short and thick.
Orlyak ordinary
This plant reaches 70 centimeters in height. It develops well in dry soil, which contains a small amount of nutrients. The culture is characterized by long horizontal leaves resembling eagle's wings. The plant contains poisonous substances, therefore it is dangerous for pets. Moreover, for people, this type of fern is absolutely harmless.
Male shieldworm
Under natural conditions, the culture develops in the shade and reaches 0.3-1.5 meters. On the seamy side of the leaves, pores that resemble a shield accumulate.
Common ostrich
This culture is distinguished by feathery leaves that resemble the openwork pattern of ostrich feathers. They can be up to 1.5 meters in size. With the arrival of spring, the leaves become like a rolled cocoon. Then they bloom and resemble a luxurious cone. A vertical root system requires systematic loosening and mulching.
Asplenium
The culture is popularly called Kostenets. Most Aspleniums need warmth. However, there are also frost-resistant crops that can withstand temperatures as low as -18 degrees.
Nested asplenium
This plant is capable of developing even without soil, since under natural conditions it takes root on leaves and trunks. The culture reaches 1 meter in size. In flower shops, you can find its dwarf species.
Onion-bearing asplenium
It is a deciduous fern native to New Zealand. It is permissible to grow it in the garden. In this case, it is recommended to cover the root system with dry leaves. Also, the bush can be dug up and kept in the cellar until the arrival of spring. The plant reaches 60 centimeters in length.
Care features
In order for the plant to develop normally, it needs to be provided with full and high-quality care.
Watering mode
When growing a fern in the garden, it is worth monitoring the timely moistening of the soil. Watering should be regular. It is carried out every 5-7 days. With the arrival of autumn, the frequency of watering is reduced, since at this time the plant does not require a large amount of moisture. Excess fluid provokes stagnation of water, which leads to rotting of the root system.
Preparing for winter
Forest fern does not need special preparation for winter. When growing a thermophilic crop in a region with a harsh climate, certain recommendations will be required. In late autumn, the culture should be covered with old leaves, peat or spruce branches. Usually, only some varieties need insulation - mnogoryadnik, kochedyzhnik, maidenhair.
Loosening and weeding
It is recommended to loosen the soil periodically. This will help provide the root system with oxygen and nutrients.
Timely weed removal is of no small importance.
Transfer
It is recommended to move the fern in the spring. However, sometimes this procedure is allowed to be performed at other times - for example, in the summer. The bush should be dug out very carefully so as not to provoke damage to the root system. There should be a lot of soil on the roots. After transplanting, the culture should be watered with high quality
It is important to take into account that the soil always settles. Therefore, a shallow hole is required for culture.
It is recommended to put a plant in it and correct its position. The top of the fern should be at ground level. Then the plant should be thoroughly watered and immediately covered with earth. This will help to avoid the appearance of an air gap and strengthen the root system with soil.
Features and description of the garden fern
The fern is a perennial herb that belongs to the Osmundaceae family. There are indoor ferns, forest ferns, Indian ferns, Thai ferns, garden ferns and many others. All these varieties have their own characteristics of growth. The homeland of this plant is the territory of China, Korea, the Far East. The fern feels great in the climatic conditions of Russia and other CIS countries.
The fern is the oldest plant on our planet, which grew at the same time as the dinosaur fossils. The fern got its name for the similarity of its leaf plates with a wing, because in translation from Greek “preton” means “wing.
Due to the fact that this is a very ancient plant, there have always been many legends and beliefs around the fern. The most important and well-known to everyone concerns the holiday of Ivan Kupala. It is on this holiday, according to legend, that the fern blooms. The moment the fern blooms, all the hidden treasures can be seen. Our ancestors believed in this, and many believe now. According to another legend, the goddess Venus dropped her beautiful hair and a fern with its wonderful leaves grew in the place where it fell. There is another legend. According to her, the fern appeared at the place where the beautiful girl fell. There appeared a clean, beautiful spring with a fern growing near it.
Fern Description:
- The fern plant is a perennial herb that is so familiar to our people.
- In appearance, the fern is similar to the wings of a large bird.
- It is a herb that is, depending on the specific species. it can be a dwarf plant or the size of a large tree.
- The plant consists of an underground part and a ground one.
- The underground part of the fern is represented by a medium-sized root.
- The stem of the fern is dense and composed of wired tissue.
- The plant has no leaves. What we used to call fern foliage is a primitive leaf blade. In scientific language, they are called vayas, which are formed from the buds in the rhizome.
- The leaf blade consists of a complex system of stems.
- It is on fronds that spores ripen, which serve the plant for reproduction. Fern seeds are spores.
- The height of the upper part of the fern can be different, from 3 cm in dwarf species to 80-150 cm in tall ones. In nature, there are species with even larger sizes.
- Fern has medicinal properties and can also be used for food.
- Fern is considered an ideal plant for shady corners of your site, because it does not require much work in planting and maintenance.
How to propagate a fern?
Ferns are propagated in several ways, but the most popular two are spores and vegetatively.
Method 1. Controversial. Very interesting from a botanical point of view. Ferns have two completely different forms of existence, two life cycles - sporophyte and gametophyte. They exist independently of each other. What we used to call a fern is not really a fern. This sporophyte is asexual generation.
The Slavs have a wonderful legend that once a year, on the night of the holiday of Ivan Kupala, a fern blooms.Its bloom lasts only a few moments. Anyone who is lucky enough to pick this incredibly beautiful flower will become the owner of amazing abilities.
In reality, ferns never bloom. For this reason, they cannot have seeds. The role of seeds is played by spores. They are located on the underside of the frond in special bags called sporangia. After ripening, the spores get enough sleep and wait in the wings. In order for a new life to begin to develop from them, moisture is needed.
After the spore enters a humid environment, it begins to grow. A small - from 0.5 to 3 cm - sprout is born, having the shape of a heart - a sprout. Here it is - the second life of a fern. This sexual generation is a gametophyte. There are both female and male germ cells on the outgrowth. When moisture appears, fertilization occurs and a young plant is formed. This is again a sporophyte, which later will have spores, and everything will go around again.
Reproduction by spores is a fascinating, but rather lengthy process, so most gardeners grow ferns vegetatively.
Method 2. Vegetative. Less laborious and consists in dividing the rhizomes of sporophytes. Thus, the ferns are divided in early spring, when the time of frost has passed. If you did not have time to divide in the spring, then you can do it in the fall as well.
To propagate a plant with a long rhizome, you need to separate a part of the rhizome with a bud and at least a few roots and transplant to a new place.
But what if you have a fern with a short rhizome and a rosette of wai? In this case, you need to divide the bush so that each of its divisions has at least 2-3 sockets and a root system.
There is another type of vegetative propagation of ferns - division by side shoots. These shoots resemble a strawberry whisker. The side shoot must be buried a few centimeters into the damp ground.
Make sure that the soil does not dry out. For the shoot to take root, the soil must always be moist.
In about a month, you will see the first leaves. However, do not rush to plant a young plant, let it gain strength. You can start transplanting when the fern has 3-4 leaves.
What types of fern are suitable for growing in the garden
Today, the fern is very popular with many gardeners who have studied well its planting and care in the open field. They decorate gardens, reservoirs, create wonderful landscape compositions.
We list several types of winter-hardy ferns that will feel good in the garden in our climate and are great for growing:
- Orlyak ordinary. The most beautiful view. Its roots are used in folk medicine. The height of this fern is 80 cm.
- Female kochedyzhnik. Reaches a meter in height. Lives in one place for up to 10 years.
- Male shieldworm. A very tall fern that can drive up to 1.5 m, but grows slowly. Propagated by segments of rhizomes. An excellent garden fern, growing and caring for this plant is not difficult.
- Bush's shielder. Large evergreen fern.
- Common ostrich. This type of fern creates spectacular lush thickets very quickly. Feels great both in the shade and in the sun.
- Asplenium. People call him Kostenets. Many Aspleniums love heat, but some are frost-hardy and can survive cold as low as -18 ° C. Growing this type of fern in the garden is very popular today.
- The nested asplenium grows even without soil, since in nature it is used to rooting on heaps of foliage, snags and trunks. It grows up to 1 m in length. In specialized stores, you can buy dwarf varieties of this fern.
- Bulbiferous asplenium is a deciduous fern. Its historical homeland is New Zealand. This species can be grown in the garden, if the roots are covered with a layer of dry leaves for the winter or dug up and stored in the cellar until spring along with a lump of earth.The length of the plant is approximately 60 cm.
- Viviparous asplenium. On the upper side of the curved, dissected leaves, buds grow and fall to the ground, turning into new specimens.
Care
The most important condition for proper fern growth is soil moisture. Watch this carefully !. In the first year, abundant regular watering is necessary, especially during the period of spring growth and summer drought.
With each watering, it is recommended not only to moisten the roots, but also to spray the frond with rainwater. After watering, it is advisable to mulch the soil around the bush with coniferous legs. This will not only strengthen the root system, but will also allow the soil to stay moist and loose for longer.
In the first year, abundant regular watering is necessary, especially during the period of spring growth and summer drought. With each watering, it is recommended not only to moisten the roots, but also to spray the frond with rainwater. After watering, it is advisable to mulch the soil around the bush with coniferous legs. This will not only strengthen the root system, but will also keep the soil moist and loose for longer.
Once every few years, it is advisable to thin out and update the bush. Usually old, broken or lost frond fronts are removed. The main thing is to do it very carefully!
Most garden ferns are hardy and tolerate our harsh winters well. However, it is advisable to cover "Listovik" and "Kochedyzhniki" with dry leaves or peat for the winter.
As you can see, leaving is not difficult. Moreover, in the process of growing, the plant does not require fertilizing and other specific procedures. And pests don't really like ferns.
Reproduction methods
There are many fern breeding methods, each with specific characteristics.
Disputes and division
Reproduction by spores is considered a rather complex and painstaking method. To do this, in the fall, you need to cut off the ripe spores with leaves, and in January place them in a special substrate. To prepare it, it is worth mixing peat, leafy earth and sand in a 2: 1: 1 ratio.
When breeding varieties with long rhizomes, it is enough in early spring to cut an adult plant into 2 parts. If there is no risk of recurrent frost, the crop should be planted in the ground. In this way, bracken, ostrich and other plants can be propagated.
Rhizome mustache
This method is not used for all fern varieties. So, cordial neurolepis has a mustache, which is presented in the form of aerial processes. They can be buried in the ground and watered well. Thanks to this, it will be possible to get a new culture.
Brood buds
This method is considered the most time consuming and least productive. For planting, it is worth separating the top of the leaves and placing them in peat or moss. They must be moisturized every day. Once the buds are rooted, they can be transplanted to a permanent location.
Ready bushes
This is the simplest and most popular method. To do this, it is enough to find a suitable bush in the forest and dig it
In this case, it is important to wrap the roots with earth so that they do not dry out during transportation. It is recommended to moisten the plant a little.
At home, it should be divided and planted on a permanent site.
