Fern Sporangia

Ferns are not the most popular plants, which is quite unusual given the fact that they all have attractive leaves in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colors. I have been fascinated by ferns since I was small but it was not until I was grown up that I learned ferns produce spores, more often on its underside, which are the closest it produces as plants bear seeds to propagate itself. These usually appear in the mature fronds, and will eventually scatter when the frond dries up after it wilts.

Now, the spores scattered by the wind will hopefully find a damp spot for it to "germinate," fair enough. But if you have a garden devoted to ferns where we perpetually add varieties that we sometimes have difficulty distinguishing one full-grown variety from another, try to imagine how baffling it is to identify sporelings!


So we have started culturing spores which, now that I write it, I realize how intimidating (and geeky) it sounds. With practice, we should have a good success rate in propagating Maidenhairs, Oak-Leafs, Staghorns, and Bird's Nests. Wish us luck!