Asplenium nidus – Bird’s Nest Fern

Description

Asplenium nidus – Bird’s Nest Fern

Family: Aspleniaceae
Packet size: Approximately 10,000+ spores (not seeds)
Origin: Australian native

Epiphytic or terrestrial fern with a rosette of broad fronds. Best suited to humid, sheltered rainforest and shaded gardens.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Filtered light to shade
• Growing medium: Free-draining, moisture-retentive organic growing medium
• Water: Keep evenly moist without waterlogging; protect young growth from drying winds

Propagation from Spores

1. Prepare a clean, lidded container with fine, moist propagation mix. Sterilise the mix with boiling water, then let it cool completely before sowing.
2. Sow spores thinly on the surface of sterile, moist growing medium; maintain high humidity and filtered light. Do not cover the spores with seed-raising mix.
3. Maintain humidity and monitor for green prothalli (the first tiny fern stage); development of young ferns can take weeks to months or longer.
4. Gradually acclimatise established young ferns to lower humidity before potting into a suitable moist, free-draining fern mix.

Important: Fern spores are not seeds. Keep the covered propagation container clean and in bright, indirect light; direct sunlight can overheat it.

Spore propagation advice: These instructions are a recommended guide. Spore germination and fern development may vary depending on spore freshness, storage, temperature and growing conditions. Alternative propagation methods may also be successful.