The dark art of propagating ferns from spores | Wow to | Gardening Australia

Ferns existed on earth long before the dinosaurs came and went. They've adapted to conditions all over the world, but to propagate them, well, propagating ferns is still a bit of a dark art.
Sue MacLaurin is one of just a handful of fern growers in the country and she shows Gardening Australia's Tino the secrets of her magic.
She explains that ferns don't have seeds or flowers, they produce spores, which can be seen in small sacks or lines on the backs of fronds. They turn dark brown or sometimes black when ripe.
Growing the spores takes time and patience but here are Sue's tips for getting started.
01:03 PROPAGATING FROM SPORES
You will need
A fern with ripe spores
A paper bag
Snips or secateurs
A sheet of white paper
Potting mix (Sue uses a mix of potting bark, sand, peat and perlite)
Face masks (for handing perlite)
Watering can
Boiling water
Zip-lock bag
What you do
02:18 Either snip off a frond with ripe spores and pop it in a paper bag, or place the bag under the frond and scrape the area to release the spore-holding sacks, called sporangia, into the bag.
After 4-5 days the sporangia will have dried and released the spores.
When dry, remove the fronds from the bag. The dust in the bottom contains both the spores, which in the sickle fern are yellow, and spore casings, which are brown.
03:25 To separate the spores from the casings, pour the mix onto a piece of white paper with a slight fold in the centre, and gently tap the spores and casings. The heavier casings should separate off and you can pour them off. If you’re worried about pouring off the spores as well, do this onto another sheet of paper so you can try again if it goes wrong.
03:45 Sue fills two containers, a tray and a pot. She creates a layered mix in the tray, putting perlite in the base for good drainage, topped by pure peat, tamped down to form a firm base. She fills the pot with the sieved mix of potting bark, sand and peat.
05:06 Both are then pasteurised by pouring boiling water into the watering can and pouring it over the tray and pot to kill off any pathogens in the mix. Sue makes sure the mix is fully wet, then pops a lid on the containers to stop any spores or fungi from getting in while the water cools - this takes about half an hour.
05:58 When it’s cool, sprinkle a tiny amount of spores over the growing mix, then place the whole pot in the ziplock bag, and label it. This should be put in a well-lit, warm space. It needs no more moisture until the spores germinate, which will take a couple of months; you’ll see a coating of tiny green ‘dust’ on the surface of the pot.
After 4-5 months they will have reached the ‘prothallus’ stage - a single-cell plantlet, usually heart shaped, which will create roots.
At this stage they start to reproduce and become a sporophyte. It is only when they reach this stage that they might need extra nutrition in the form of misting with half-strength seaweed solution.
08:07 PROPAGATING VEGETATIVELY
This can be done with ferns such as the hen and chickens fern (Asplenium bulbiferum), which forms little bulbils on top of the fronds.
Cut off a frond with some bulbils on it, and place it directly onto a tray filled with regular seed-raising medium, mixed with some perlite and slow-release fertiliser. Cover it with a fine layer of mix, just enough to weigh it down. Keep the mix moist, occasionally using half-strength seaweed solution.
The bulbils will anchor their roots into the soil and, in about three to four months, the new little ferns will be growing independently.
FEATURED PLANTS
Sickle fern (Pellaea falcata)
Hen and chickens fern (Asplenium bulbiferum ‘Autumn Beauty’)
See the latest content from Gardening Australia as it goes live by hitting subscribe: ab.co/GardeningKZbin
Watch Gardening Australia on ABC iview: iview.abc.net.au/programs/gard...
Subscribe to our newsletter: www.abc.net.au/gardening/news...
About Gardening Australia:
Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Presented by Australia's leading horticultural experts, Gardening Australia is a valuable resource to all gardeners through the television program, the magazine, books, DVDs and extensive online content.
Connect with other Gardening Australia fans:
Like Gardening Australia on Facebook: / gardeningaustralia
Follow Gardening Australia on Instagram: / gardeningaustralia
Visit the Gardening Australia website: www.abc.net.au/gardening
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation KZbin channel.
********
Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).

[@herbcutler3194]

"Welcome to the spore house"

[@introtwerp]

Dirty jokes?

[@justbecause3187]

Sounds like a rock concert venue. 🤘🎸

[@fCLEF007]

How beautiful was that amazing glass house they were in?!!

[@WaitWhat99]

fCLEF007 gorgeous ay. I’d kill to have a garden look remotely that lush, with natural waterfall etc. Now excuse me while I go water my recreation of the Simpson Desert 😳🤭

[@tams7411]

It’s incredible! It’s the greenhouse in the Tasmanian botanical gardens in Hobart :) I’ve seen the outside and I’ve always wanted to go inside and explore haha!

[@alicewilliam522]

here's several suggestions worth trying select the top variety - there are lots available. grow them in the best environment - some such as oyster muchrooms like cool humid areas and may be put outdoors (I learned these and the reasons they work on gregs mushroom grower website )

[@katya_fhs]

I propagated staghorn ferns and they are little sporophytes up after four months. For what I had read I thought they would take longer, but they are like 2 cms already. Maybe it's the weather here in my country, but I'm so happy because I thought it would be much harder to propagate them. ♥️

[@louisecoburn3728]

Would love to see pictures of them. Did you sterilize the medium as well ?

[@carlyjensen8514]

I nearly cried reading this it's so wholesome and wonderful

[@adriand2826]

This lady is very educated and great to listen to

[@GardeningAustralia]

Thank you for watching!

[@mikaeladonges9102]

Wow soo cool. Never knew this was how they they start out.. . I would love to recreate growth of a native Victorian fern. Fascinating .

[@NosillaWilla]

I live in Humboldt county among the Redwoods and there are ferns everywhere. Thanks for sharing on how they propagate

[@johndarwintayson4529]

I also love collecting ferns from the side of the roads here in the Philippines and replanting it in our yard. Seeing ferns makes me feel the peace in rainforest even though i never been to a forest.

[@dioncu3721]

LagiNaLangAko23 i have wild ferns in my garden here in Manila. I’d say as long as the area’s cool and moist, the ferns will live 😊

[@darrencottam1146]

I do the same thing in Australia,water and shaded area and they thrive.

[@raphaelbussottipereira7546]

I do the same here in Brazil. I'm turning my backyard here in São Paulo into a real forest.

[@LeahCoger]

My Grandma would use the little plastic containers from the gumball machines to start her ferns. She would use old fish tanks after the ferns had grown some.

[@maiamaiapapaya]

that's so cute. and smart of her

[@katelowrey3641]

The giggle plus the shrug after “sporehouse” tho

[@ubustudio]

Thanks for this. I know it's been a while since you posted this, but I'm hoping you can clarify a few things. I was confused that she prepared the bark bed in the tray container but then planted the spores in the pot with the peat mix. Was the tray an alternate method, not used in this example? How'd the other sprouted examples get in the tray? Also, there was no mention of the time of year to grow these. I'm assuming that the spores will be ripe in late summer and since this process takes up to five months that it would be done indoors over the winter? Thanks for your show. Just discovered it. Great fun.

[@mark9378]

Hi Gary, great questions. Did you end up finding out what the container was used for?

[@TreDogOfficial]

It's fascinating that such an ancient form of plant reproduction is still thriving, and that competing forms of reproduction exist.

[@15demersm]

I would love to see this in person. Ferns are my favorite

[@probablynotabigtoe9407]

Yeah there is something about ferns I can't put my finger on... My favorite plant as well

[@angiecollados9083]

I moved to NZ 3 years ago and my favorite thing is how many different ferns I can see everywhere 😍😍😍 I am literally in love with them now

[@geyotepilkington2892]

This is so insanely awesome and well done. I had no idea they reproduced like that

[@dan339dan]

Never knew fern reproduce after taking root, and started growing. Quite interesting.

[@markborder906]

Apart from the use of peat, which we no longer use, this is exactly how I sow spores here in the U.K.. I just wish I had that greenhouse! And rain!

[@viktorvondoom9119]

You don't have rain in the UK? What kind of universe do you live in?

[@markborder906]

@@viktorvondoom9119 We do, but not when required.

[@wolfyngrey1313]

I never knew how the spores worked. Thank you so much for sharing this made my day.

[@NYMusic89563]

This is THEE best fern video on yt. Way better than the rest 👌🏻

[@mgeller854]

Im still looking for the “dark art” of ferning lol

[@dinkledankle]

Dark as in unknown. Think.

[@wilsoncalhoun]

The necessary blood sacrifices to the elder gods are obviously implied, not explicit. Gotta keep it clean for KZbin's tos, after all.

[@Moamanly]

Tasmania. Enough said!

[@mariorosas6364]

just do everything she just said only this time with your eyes closed.

[@mgeller854]

Mario Rosas lol

[@williamsara5565]

Bravo 👏 your precision and descriptions are accurate..imfo is more than adequate well done looking forward to more videos from you thanks

[@Loogiemistress]

Mesmerising!

[@slyster]

I'm careful around watering cans now... lol! learnt something new today! Gonna give it a go at pasteurizing media this way...

[@lenagoodwin8223]

Wow. I would love to have a collection of ferns like that one day. I just purchased some spores, mostly of native species (that are uncommon in my area). Fingers crossed they grow. I also just got a guide to put names to the ferns I see everyday and use currently in my terrariums.

[@TheCharacter97]

Be patient. I have a small clear tub that I have put spores in 1 year ago. Some ferns germinated within 6 months, others are currently starting to germinate. It takes time, but it is worth it. Growing back some ferns I just had to throw away for multiple reasons.

[@glenkoko3649]

She's so cool!

[@Clutchpearls]

I love the boiling water idea! I'm tired of baking dirt!! 😂🤣😜

[@Beofware]

That was absolutely fascinating. I can't wait to start my own batch.

[@jakehicks930]

I also enjoy growing and propagating ferns, would love to have a chat with Sue

[@ryansmit9921]

Did she used the other container with the perlite at the bottom as well? Did I miss something? However, great video. Will definitely try this one day!

[@skibidiboobop]

No, she demonstrated two ways of potting. The soil in the rectangular container is just peat moss, which would require perlite for proper drainage. The soil in the round one (which she didn't add perlite to) is a mixture of peat moss, potting bark, and sand which is well-draining enough to not necessitate the use of perlite! Additionally, this pot has drainage holes, which helps with drainage, while the rectangular tub did not. Seeing this, the spores need fine, well draining soil to germinate. I assume she showed two ways to demonstrate that so that the viewer does not feel limited to one way or the other. If you can get a mix that drains very well and is very fine, you should be able to grow them!

[@ryansmit9921]

@@skibidiboobop Got it, thanks!

[@raulcollado9419]

@@skibidiboobop Thanks for your summary. In fact I think she showed THREE ways, including the last one in which she submerges the fronds complete and BOTH of them have holes to let boiling water to drain. By the way which differences did you find between the first and second mixes?

[@thomasgeorge1836]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@PossumMedic]

Great energy! Thanks for the vid! :)

[@ICanHazPunk]

ive always had a problem growing ferns, im going to try this.

[@tashkeep469]

How awesome, love your work& thanks for the information, I’ve tried this (before the internet was so accessible ) had no idea what I was doing, thanks to your segment, I’ve now a better shot in being successful at growing some fern babies🥰

[@deadalivegirl]

New subscriber thank you so much for entertaining and informing. I look forward to learning more. 😊💚

[@margarethamelatunan338]

Wow.. amazing....thank you for this video...💗😍😘

[@chezgirlrose7654]

Wow what an amazing video, thanks G.A 🍀

[@StripMeOfIvy]

Dear Sue MacLaurin, You are so wonderful!! I've been smitten hard. Sincerely, This Guuuuy

[@mattblake9936]

I need a fern greenhouse in my backyard!

[@williamsara5565]

I bought a home up In the snowy mountains and there are about 14 Australian tree ferns absolutely beautiful..I have now a few young ones growing successfully from your process..thanks

[@raulcollado9419]

Excellent!

[@tieraarakawa4570]

Sooo cool! I've always wondered how to propagate ferns. I definitely want to try now!

[@SweetMoonSugar]

What a strange and mysterious craft. M'aiq wishes to learn more from this alchemist..

[@renasance2]

You liar!

[@missyflutter5562]

More fern videos please and thanks 🙏🏼

[@Coolclimatetropicalfruits]

Very good explanation of process 👍🏻👍🏻

[@warmyellowshade]

Fascinating!

[@abundantwrage7029]

This was friggin AWESOME!

[@Stephen_Strange]

Lovely. Thank you!

[@orionlottering7349]

Thankyou very much Sue. Very informative. I struggle to grow a haiden hair fern. The others I've put in the shady and dark sides of the walls and fences and they seem to flourish

[@TheCannabisWhisperer]

So cool thanks for sharing

[@xZooM3R]

Wow it’s really a plant that grows very similarly to mushrooms, that’s amazing

[@ceedrichenry985]

this is like a more laid back version of mycology

[@dunkinpossum]

Wondering if that method of collecting spores wud work with maiden hair? Guess I can only try 🤔

[@Jeuro38]

It will, it's all the same thing across the fern group. Temperature requirements may vary but always some humidity, and patience! :)

[@MephistoRolling]

Fantastic information.

[@yupiisnaini9868]

Great video

[@vivek-1318]

Awesome

[@Jamietron666]

great video!

[@mn4169]

Interesting. I usually replant wild ferns in my garden and they love their new home. But I will try the first method of propagation.

[@urbanlifeinbangladesh8695]

Amazing!!!!!❤

[@jmasscott173]

Best video on how to prop some Ferns

[@GardeningAustralia]

Thank you, glad it was helpful!

[@straycats9934]

this is a brilliant video

[@BenTvHowman]

Coco peat although devoid of most nutrition does have higher than ideal levels of potassium, perhaps why young spores don't like it. Hi from Melbourne

[@rosemaryshydawn8539]

Tried to propagate my Maidenhair once but it never worked out. When it makes more spores I might try again. Not sure how to propagate Boston ferns though since they don't seem to make spores unless it's just mine that isn't making them.

[@everettdaugherty8817]

Boston ferns are genetically mutated ferns that are sterile and therefore do not produce spores, so you can only propagate them through division. Luckily they seem to make tiny plantlets frequently!

[@masonreed6845]

@@everettdaugherty8817 woah thats wild

[@dvorak2676]

great content

[@dikdebruijn5101]

What happens to the stuff in the round pot? Where did the stuff in the open flat trays come from? What did she do with the container with the perlite? It seems like there are steps missing. It's clear how to collect spores -- it's not at all clear what to do with them after you sprinkle them on some potting mix.

[@cobra_shetty]

Damn that place looks like heaven 😍

[@Muichiro_isthebest]

I love it

[@whyme3286]

Very interesting

[@GarethWong]

Brilliant video, wonder if sue and the producer could advise better ‘peat free’ alternative substrate? And what temperature to keep the spores in during the ziploc bag stage onward? Thanks

[@ilovetylerist]

Coconut substrate as an alternative and keep in a dark humid if possible place like maybe under bathroom sink or bathroom closet 👍🤠

[@PsinkaJones]

Prothallus is not single cell organism. Its a haploid stage but its many cells building heart shape liverwart.

[@klincecum]

I don't think she actually meant "cell" in that way.

[@PsinkaJones]

I think it was a short hand for her, but just wanted to leave this info for people who might not no biology as much.

[@EddyFeyen]

Well lite warm space so good to know because a lot tell the opposite

[@sachinthakamadushanka5893]

Top

[@scribtoon7146]

Ahh Spore, EAs last good game.

[@kylejf2108]

Thanks for this awesome vid. They can survive everything but my mom's watering routine. Lol

[@cuchiedingding1970]

Thank you for sharing this video. I love for watching,so interesting and I've never know how many kinds of Ferns we have in this planet. I want to know what kind of Ferns can be eaten? ?.?

[@GardeningAustralia]

There are a number of species eaten traditionally in many parts of the world, from emerging fiddlehead tips to rhizomatous roots. Some require careful preparation to ensure they are safe to eat but ALL must be identified correctly before consuming. A local fern specialist nursery would be a great place to start your research. Good luck!

[@f.victoria2445]

Will this kind of technique in propagation can be applied in Asplenium nidus plant as well? Need help. Thanks.

[@thefarmlife4720]

I never knew ferns used spores, but I'm guessing that they propagate the same as mushroom spores.

[@trulyinfamous]

Just like misses, which also produce spores.

[@scipio109]

Kinda in biology a spore referes to a single cell with multiple membranes that can remain dormant for long periods of time until conditions are favorable they occur in funghi, bacteria, algae and some plants like moses and of course ferns🤓

[@yesithwithanachchi9471]

@Gardening Australia Does this also work for birds nest?

[@____________________________.x]

7:54 "half strength seaweed solution". I didn't quite catch it but it was in the video notes, just to remind myself for later

[@TanjiEmmeni]

I wonder if you can propogate kalawalla like this. I'm going to try it.

[@nw57]

very nice method!!!!

[@GardeningAustralia]

Thanks David!

[@MoreliaAustralia]

@@GardeningAustralia Would you like to see how I grow ferns and moss on bricks? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGWrh4yQqrJ1isU kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4KzaYOpgMxjbdE

[@pttuanmudamas2256]

hello, is there a different type of leatherleaf fern in Costa Rica and Florida?

[@gegasmeef7850]

I got too excited that I can propagate my only tree fern with spores I stopped halfway through the video and had already planted spores I got into a pot and watered it! Dammit!! I hope this doesn't fail!

[@raphlvlogs271]

how long do spores stay viable?

[@irenedeblouge29]

I live in Ferntree Gully in Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne and have many Dicksonia ferns on my property and forest. Occasionally trees die. My question is why don't the existing trees self seed as seems to happen in other areas of the Dandenongs. Am going to try to propagate some for replacement but it does look a bit like another job to do. Would be great if mother nature would do it for me. Would love an answer if anyone reads this. Thanks

[@lunacycalico4017]

My psilotum nudum/wisk fern is producing spores, little tiny yellow spore buds Can anyone help me how to propagate them fm spores?

[@novanovz777]

Great video! I love ferns, soon I will be staying and working in the farm. We have a lot of ferns there, I can't wait to try and propagate them too. Thanks for showing us the methods.

[@NectarineSoup]

Is it possible to do it without using Peat?

[@PRDreams]

Fern grow all around me. They are everywhere. I live in a rain forest, that's why...

[@spaceforthesoul6286]

Really? Wow😍

[@bluebeeboo]

Has anyone tried doing this successfully yet? I think I have a monarch fern in the backyard but I'm still waiting for it to produce spores. I wanna try this too

[@natureishappiness8742]

Waooooooooo

[@andrewgrady7447]

Around 7:55 , "you can start watering them or misting them with half ______________ solution". Anyone understand that one?

[@damienleoskyangel9350]

What about watering frequency germinating? Did she just say you can only start watering after 4/5 months after germinate? 7:47

[@commercialmodel_eddie]

What's the name of the music playing at 9:15 ?

[@benwebster906]

HI, Can anybody tell me what potting bark is? Is it just potting mix? Some potting mix has fertiliser and coco peat, will this be an issue for the spores? Thanks

[@radrickdavis]

For ferns, in this video she was using a bark soil, which is likely decomposed pine bark, crushed fine. Many ferns prefer to grow on woody, decomposing surfaces. I managed to get some spores to grow this past year.

[@thombaz]

Do Boston ferns ever grow this spores? Because I can't find any.

[@eden7010]

no, they're sterile

[@thombaz]

@@eden7010 wow, new information, thanks!

[@slk7376]

Anything from australia is a dark art.

[@ShieniLicksOnLemons]

I hope one day one of my ferns will create spores and I can try to propagate them 😭 and I hope I will manage to keep my ferns alive, one is already most likely dead because I forgot to water it (I'm still watering and misting in the hopes that the roots are still alive) and another is barely clinging to life because of the same reason... Boston fern is doing pretty well, as is this other fern which I don't know the name of, that too almost died because I didn't water it but I got to it in time that it has recovered well from that experience and there are already new fronds growing

[@yapacreation]

Superb ......detailed vedio See our platycerium in Sri Lanka

[@fuxan]

Japanese Climbing fern is wreaking havoc in the southeast of the US. It seems that the spores travel on lawnmowers and are disperse along the route of landscaper mowing paths especially along the sides of the road near ditches. The bad thing about Japanese climbing fern is that it is an invasive non-native whos spores can travel long distances and stay viable for a long time.

[@teacul]

Ferns depend on mycorrhizal fungi as well. It's insane to pasturize your soil like that :(

[@phobus91]

To be fair, if it was a store-bought bagged mix, it was very likely already pasteurized.

[@klincecum]

It's not insane. It keeps unwanted spores and such out until you are ready to plant. The mycorrizal fungi are easily airborne or transferred by other means and will repopulate that soil well before the ferns are prepared for the benefit.

[@ForeignOnEarth]

a guy I know who works with ferns at a botanical garden always autoclaves his soil for ferns and he seems to have no problem with that

[@michaeldunn2295]

Great women.