Ferns are lively plants, they come from somewhat humid tropical and equatorial areas, but also from some regions with a Mediterranean climate. For a good development, they must be protected from sunlight but the shade is not convenient for them either. They are vegetables that are characterized by having narrow leaves, an underground stem, and a curious reproduction through receptacles that allow the multiplication of the species. The stem of these plants lasts only twelve months but maintains underground parts from which new stems sprout again the next year, and they can also be grown both indoors and outdoors.
Plants without flowers or seeds
There are different varieties, which come from forests or thickets in rainy areas with poor soils in tropical and equatorial regions. For optimal cultivation, they should be hidden from the intense sun and kept in an ambient temperature between 12 ° C and 18 ° C. On the other hand, the substrate must have a moderate degree of humidity, so it requires a high capacity to store water, for example, a base of mulch, peat with loose and porous soil can be used.
Irrigation preferences are not many, because if it is abundant the compost can become saturated, the fronds turn brown and the plant dies. It is advisable to vaporize its leaves a couple of times a day, especially if the weather is warm. One of the most common pests are mealybugs, they are small insects that attack plants, deforming their structure and leaving it sticky. Another enemy of the fern is the foliar nematode that is easily located because the plant turns reddish-brown in color.
Certain bacteria can get to attack the plants more young people. Some viruses cause significant foliar deformations. While other enemies can cause ring-shaped foliar necrotic spots. Among the most advisable ferns both for our garden and for the interior of our home are the following species: Deer tongue ( Phyllintis scolopendrium ), Elkhorn ( Platycerium bifurcatum ), Blecno ( Blechnum gibbum ), Maidenhair ( Adiantum capillus ), and Nest of bird ( Asplenium nests ).
