Tropical ferns for the garden

Andrew Mangwarara
WHAT is a garden without a fern? This gorgeous group of plants inspires awe with its mystical presence.
Some grow on the ground whilst some are aerial, being found on tree branches in the rainforests. Ferns thrive where there is water and high humidity and thus it is a prerequisite for their existence.
However, a few species have underground structures that enable them to survive in between rain seasons. Their application in the landscape is diverse as well.
Add them on your veranda, pergola and entrances on hanging baskets or some clinging species on dead log. Others are happy with other shade plants in various landscaped gardens. Most ferns are easy to reproduce by separating their underground appendages.
However, strictly for the avid gardener is the propagation of ferns using their spores, which are found in structure called sori under their leaves.
When it comes to growing ferns, the soil medium must be well prepared. Use large quantities of well decomposed manure, compost or bark. Coarse sand should be worked in if the soil is clay or a heavy loam.
Aim for a pH of 6-7, so one can add bone meal. For container growing use a mix such as two parts compost, one part river sand (coarse) with fertiliser, 100g of bone meal with 50g of dolomitic lime and 50g of single super phosphate per one wheelbarrow of the medium.
Ferns must be kept moist but not over saturated. During the hot summer months misting daily will be beneficial in the morning or evening. Mulching will also help keep humidity high.
Organic liquid fertiliser is best for ferns either as a foliar spray or in the growing medium during the growing season diluted at least to five parts water. Common pests on ferns are snail, slugs and caterpillars. Snail and slug bait is available in shops. Indoors mealy bugs can be a problem. Irrigate with metasystox, a systemic pesticide.
One of my favourite ferns is the stag horn fern, platycerium bifurcatum from Australia. It is an epiphytic species with leaves that can reach a metre-long.
The stag horn fern is truly an elegant plant for those with passion for beautiful plants. One fern, which is a trouble free fern is nephrolepsis exaltata or the sword fern, which needs to be grown by its own as it can easily overtake other plants.
It prefers a shady position in the garden, though its one fern that can tolerate some sun.
Other ferns to consider are cyathea dregei (tree fern), adiantum capillus-veneris (maiden hair fern), asplenium nidus (bird nest’s fern), pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern) and polysicum aculeatum (prickly shield fern).
Our own tropical rain forests are laden with many different ferns that must be brought into the mainstream landscaping industry. This will also aid in their conservation if sustainable use is adhered to by having mass offsite propagation nurseries.
Enjoy the transformation that ferns bring to your garden.
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