r/ferns 1d ago

Can you help me identify those ferns and how to care for them, please ? ID Request

Post image
14 Upvotes

4

u/woon-tama 1d ago

Bottom left to right: Athyrium spicatum (or Polystichum tsus-siemence, they look alike), Dryopteris sp., Didymochlaena truncatula.

Top: Asplenium nidus, Pteris sp.

Closeups would help to ID better.

Athyrium, Didymichlaena, Pteris loves frequent watering in moderate amounts or self-watering pots. Asplenium requires watering in a day or two after its soil top layer is dry. All need lots of indirect light, the east-facing window is the best. The south one is good too.

Dryopteris is Satan's offspring, we're in a hate relationship for more than a year and I don't know how to take care of it.

2

u/Flying_Plates 1d ago

Thank you very very much !

Unfortunately, I can't edit the post nor can I post a picture here for a closeup ....

After searching, it's a pteris heteromorpha.

Thanks for the tips, I know in which bedroom I'll put them in, but what medium ? I put a big nidus in semi hydro (leca), it's surviving so far... I made the mistake of watering the center T_T ... only some leaves are still there and they're hard and healthy so far. I'm waiting for spring to see what will happen.

Lol ! I literally search for "Satan's offspring", thinking it was an alternative name!

I am planning a post because I have killed way too many fern, thus, I need to learn and understand them ! I'll link it to you so that you may give me your input.

1

u/woon-tama 1d ago

You're welcome!

The soil composition depends on the way you want to water them. For self-watering pots leca is great, for normally growing ferns choose pre-made commercial fern mix or make it yourself (1/2 peat moss + 1/2 pearlite or/and vermiculite/lava rocks/bark/coco coir, whatever you can find or want to use). Never water any fern on fronds or in the nest, only the soil, top or bottom doesn't really matter. If you can, add artificial light for the winter, about 5 hours daily.

Asplenium nidus is the last fern you want in the water constantly, so it's better to repot it right now, don't wait until spring.

Haha, sadly no, it's not official. But Dryopteris does great in the garden, not so much as a home plant.

They just really love their water, it's something every fern lover goes through 😄 Good luck!

1

u/Flying_Plates 1d ago

oh ... peat moss + lava rock + bark ? who would have thought !

I have all this at home.

Just want a precision, when you say leca for semi-hydro, do you mean I can plant them directly into it ? Their root are so thin...

I'd love to test bark with semi hydro to see what' happens...

Well, the asplenium I have is kinda great in its leca+lava rock substrate. It stopped dying when I put it in there ....

oh btw, what about DAVALLIA and PHLEBODIUM ? I just killed them ...

1

u/woon-tama 1d ago

That's kinda close to their natural habitat as they mostly grow on trees and rocks.

There are people who have success with just leca or sphagnum moss, but I'd add moss peat. I only have 3 ferns on a wick, 2 adiantums and 1 nephrolepis, all have different soil but do great. One is leca on the bottom, peat and pearlite, one is lechuza pon/peat, and one is just peat/pearlite/vermiculite.

Bark+lots of water is a nice rotting sweet home for some insects. Won't recommend.

Infrequent the watering then and check what happens. Don't forget to fertilize once a month.

1

u/Flying_Plates 12h ago

ok

oh ! I get it ! leca bottom ! Makes sense ! For the rest, I'll try to experiment ! thank you !

hummmm... then I'll try leca bottom, plus bark above or a mix, like you said earlier.

This will be for another time... For the ferlilizer, I use a technique from a guy in botanical garden : you fertilize every time you water, but, you put less Fertiliser in.

1

u/woon-tama 12h ago

Happy Cake Day! 🎉

Not sure if this type of fertilization is good for ferns, as they came from harsh environments with the lack of nutrition. Worth trying though.

1

u/Flying_Plates 5h ago

oki ! and thanks ! I had forgotten about it x)

1

u/Flying_Plates 1d ago

Sorry I already know the other is a a.nidus, but I don't know what variety.