FERNS

GROUP NO:09
 Introduction
Four major groups in kingdom plantae.
 Mosses
 Ferns
 Gymnosperms
 Angiosperms
Family : Polypodiaceae
Phylum : Pteridophyta
Vascular plant, reproduce via spores, neither
seeds nor flowers.
Has huge demand as an indoor plant.
Major facts to famous are,
 Minimum attention
 Beauty
Though there are many varieties only few are
used as ornamental plants.
In decoration purposes ferns can be used as,
 Single plants,
 shrubs
 hanging plants.
 Ecological Requirement
 Temperature : 15-24oC

 Relative humidity : need high humidity level of

about 60%-75%

 Soil pH : most ferns can grow 4-7 of pH but

better to maintain 7-8

 Soil : rich in organic matter

 Shade : 50%- 60%

 Water requirement : higher water requirement.

 Botanical characters.
Leaves(fronds)
• Compound leaves of fern called fronds are lateral
determinate structures formed on the
indeterminate shoot apical meristem.
• Leaf has 2 parts : stipe and blade.
• Hairs and scales act as coverings on leaves.
• Clusters of sporangia present on the underside of
leaves.
Rhizome

• An underground stem acts as the link between

the roots and the fronds.

• Growth habit of the ferns is determined by the rhizome.

(upright, creeping or other form)

Croziers (fiddleheads)

• The first structures of the leave fronds that are

beginning to emerge.
 Planting material and propagation.

Planting materials.
• Spores
• Bulbils and root buds Rhizome
• Rhizome
• Frond tips
• Stipules and tubers
Propagation. spores

• Spores are seen underside of the mature leaf.

• They should be removed using a brush on to a white color paper
and sowing in the medium of 2.5 mm sized leaf mold : sand , 1:1.
• Cut the rhizome of well grown plants and plant it in a media of ,
• Leaf mold : sand : compost
1 : 1 : 1/2
or
• Compost : sand
1 : 1
Fertilizers
• N : P : K fertilizer solution can be applied

in 2 weeks interval.
• Addition of organic fertilizer is also
recommended.
 .
Pests and diseases
 Very low pest and disease attacks on ferns. Scale
insects
• Mealy bug
• Scale insects
If pest and disease damages are recorded
remove those damaged parts as soon as
possible. Mealy
• In severe conditions Dimethoate or Diazinon bug

can be used.
 Harvesting.

According to the purpose harvesting stages

changes in ferns
Ex- For cooking purposes when fiddleheads
appear they are harvested
 Post harvesting

• After harvesting the fronds should be cleaned

and free from soil and any debris.
• After harvesting leaves are moistened and
precooled to 1.1-4.40C.
• Then grade and pack.
 Grading
• In the packing house fern leaves are hand
graded into different lengths.
• Then grouped into bunches of about 20 leaves
each.
 Packing

• Graded bunches are individually covered with a

clear plastic sleeves.
• The bunches are packaged in corrugated
cardboard boxes and refrigerated for shipping
and air cargo.
 References
• Jones D.L (1987). Encyclopedia of ferns : an introduction to ferns, their
structure , Biology, Economic
• Growing ferns floriculture, www.floriculturecare .com/2015/11 growing –
fern.html.
• Introduction to ferns,www.plantsgalore.com/plants/types/ferns/ferns-
physiology.htm.
Different varieties found in Sri
Lanka
Boston Fern
Usually grow in hanging
baskets
Cinnamon Fern
Consist of sterilized cinnamon
colored fronds
Holly Fern
Ostrich Fern
Ornamental fronds have a
sterile ostrich like tail
Asparagus fern
Tough fern variety
Australian Tree
Maiden Hair
Stag horn Fern
Mainly grow in damp
environments and in humus
rich medium
Birdsnest Fern
Japanese Painted Fern
Fish tail fern
Thank You