The ornamental fern nephrolepis is one of the houseplants that is recommended to be kept indoors, not only because of its decorative properties, but also because of its beneficial qualities. The fact is that the sprawling frond of indoor flowers nephrolepis can increase the humidity of the air in too dry rooms, as well as absorb formaldehyde and xylene.
Fern nephrolepis (Nephrolepis) belongs to the Davalliev family.
Homeland – the tropics of Southeast Asia, America, Australia.
It is considered the least specialized genus in the oleander subfamily (about 30 species) – a genus of predominantly tropical distribution. Outside the tropics, it is found only in Japan and New Zealand.
These plants are inhabitants of open spaces. Nephrolepis sublime (N. exaltata) – one of the first higher plants, usually settling after an eruption (after 4-5 months) on the slopes of volcanoes. But this fern does not tolerate shading and disappears as the tree cover forms.
Description of the fern nephrolepis (Nephrolepis)
Nephrolepis are large ferns. Leaves n. pointed (Nephrolepis acuminata) reach a length of 2,5 m, and n. diksoniform (N. dicksonioides) – 3,5 m. They are once pinnate, not articulated with the rhizome, but the feathers are always articulated with the stem. As the leaf ages, the feathers turn yellow and fall off, leaving bare rods sticking out. The rhizome is usually short, erect, bearing a bunch of leaves at the top.
Sori in nephrolepis are located at the ends of the veins. They are either rounded or elongated along the edge, like in nephrolepis acuminata. The veil is rounded or oblong, fixed at one point or attached along the base. Sporangia on legs, uneven ages within the same sorus. The spores are bilateral, monolet, small, much smaller than in the ferns of the subfamily davalliaceae, with a more or less clearly distinguishable feather bed. The gametophyte is cordate.
In addition to the usual reproduction with the help of spores, nephrolepis easily reproduce vegetatively. On their rhizomes, ground leafless, rooting shoots covered with scales are formed, similar to strawberry mustache. It is a very effective breeding agent. Within one year, one plant can form over a hundred new ones. Some species of this genus reproduce with the help of tubers, which are formed in abundance on underground shoots – stolons.
Older greenhouse nephrolepis (N. cordifolia) can produce over two hundred tubers a year. The largest of them reach a length of 2-2,5 m. Young tubers are white or silvery due to the numerous scales that cover their surface. The tuber tissue contains a large amount of water, sugars, proteins and fats. When separated, the tubers can germinate immediately without any dormancy period. Usually one plant grows from one tuber. It always has normal leaves, just like the leaves of the parent plant. Individuals grown from whiskers may have leaves that are very different from the usual once-feathery leaves of nephrolepis.
At the beginning of the XX century. in Boston (USA) a form of sublime nephrolepis with multiple thinly dissected leaves was bred, called the “Boston (or lace) fern”. Currently, a large number of bizarre garden forms of sublime nephrolepis have been obtained, many of which easily tolerate shading and dry air, and therefore they are successfully grown in ordinary city apartments.
This is a perennial herb with bright green leaves, 50-70 cm long. In its general description, the leaves of the nephrolepis have an elongated lanceolate shape, their segments are also lanceolate, reaching up to 5 cm in length. The leaf petioles are short. With age, old leaves turn yellow, dry out, and their segments fall off. In the upper part of the rhizome, shoots without leaves (lashes) are formed, from which new plants develop.
Look at the photo – at home, the nephrolepis fern can reach 3 m in height:
In terms of hardiness, nephrolepis are considered the best ferns for indoor culture. Ground leafless rooting shoots are formed on the rhizome. Cut leaves retain their freshness in water for up to two weeks, so they are widely used for bouquets and flower arrangements.
Nephrolepis in nature can be both epiphytes (growing on trees) and terrestrial plants.
There are many varieties that differ in size, segment shape and environmental resistance.
Types of nephrolepis (nephrolepis): photo and description
The following types are most popular among florists:
Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffy’ (N. cordifolia ‘Duffii’) – narrow, upward-looking feathery leaves
Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Plumosa’ (N. cordifolia ‘Plumosa’)
Nephrolepis sublime, or high (N. exaltata) – arched leaves.
Grades:
‘Norwoodii’
‘Teddy Junior’
‘Linda’
‘Maassi’ (‘Maasii’)
‘Shieldsey’
(‘Shildsii’).
Sword Fern – xiphoid fern. The popular name indicates the xiphoid shape of the leaves (wai) of the fern.
Perennial herbaceous plants; the rhizome does not form swellings. Leaves are densely arranged, hanging arcuate, 30–40 cm long, sometimes up to 1 m, and 8–15 cm wide; leaflets up to 7 cm long and up to 1,2 cm wide. Rachis is reddish. Each frond grows within 4045 days; at the same time, there is an almost continuous appearance of new curls. Sporangia densely collected in rows closer to leaf margins.
Lives in tropical regions of Southeast Asia.
There are many forms and varieties in culture. There are forms with double-pinnate leaves, in which each leaf, in turn, is pinnately dissected.
The photo shows that the nephrolepis flower has forms with three and four pinnately dissected leaves, so that the whole plant looks lacy:
Bostoniensis – leaves are feathery, dark green; thick rachis, lanceolate leaves
Hillsii – leaves are double-pinnate
Superbissima – the leaves are three times pinnate, with densely arranged leaves, densely overlapping one another.
Nephrolepis sublime Boston well increases air humidity, absorbs formaldehyde from the air in the amount of 1027-1863 mcg / h, xylene – 208 mcg / h, benzene – 480 mcg / h.
Smoothed nephrolepis (Kimberley Royal Fern) absorbs 1328 μg of formaldehyde per hour from the air, 323 μg of xylene per hour, as well as methanol.
How to care for nephrolepis at home is described below.
How to care for the nephrolepis fern at home
Location. At home, nephrolepis prefers bright, well-ventilated rooms, mainly of northern or northwestern exposure, protected from direct sunlight.
Grown not far from northern windows or 1–1,5 m from western and eastern windows.
Lighting. The plant is shade-tolerant, prefers diffused light and partial shade. When caring for a nephrolepis flower, do not forget that this plant does not tolerate direct sunlight, therefore, shading is necessary when keeping it on the window. Can develop normally under artificial light.
Temperature. Nephrolepis prefer a moderate temperature. Ideally, in summer, it should be 18-21 ° C, raising it above 25 ° C is not tolerated by the plant. In autumn and winter, the optimum temperature is + 14–15 ° C, but with moderate watering, it can drop to 11–12 ° C. It develops intensively at a temperature of 20-25 ° C.
Watering. Regular watering throughout the year with settled water that does not contain lime. In winter, when caring for nephrolepis, watering is reduced to moderate. Waterlogging of the soil is unacceptable, but drying out of the earthen coma is also unacceptable.
Fertilizers. Fern fertilizer every two weeks throughout the year. It is recommended to alternate potash fertilizers (20-25 g per bucket of water) and mullein (3-5 g per 1 liter of water).
Nephrolepis is fed at home with fertilizer for decorative leafy plants. The dosage is taken 4 times less than for other plants. In autumn and winter, feeding is stopped.
Rest period. With low air humidity and insufficient lighting, a forced rest period may occur.
Air humidity. The plant is demanding for high humidity, nephrolepis does not tolerate dry air. In summer, in heat and in winter, with the heating turned on, it is necessary to spray the plant with water more often, preferably several times a day. You can put a pot of nephrolepis on a tray with expanded clay or sphagnum moss, which should be moistened regularly.
Breeding. Propagated by spores, division of plants, offspring and terrestrial pubescent leafless shoots (lashes). Reproduction of nephrolepis is carried out from March to August. The scourges are sprinkled with earth, and after rooting and the formation of young plants with 3 leaves each, they are separated and planted in separate pots.
Next, you will learn how to transplant nephrolepis and what diseases threaten this fern.
The photo “Nephrolepis care” shows all the main agricultural practices:
How to transplant nephrolepis and fern diseases
Young plants are transplanted every year in the spring, and adults – when the roots fill the entire container (about once every 2-3 years). When transplanting, weakly acidic soil is used. The optimal mixture is a combination in equal proportions of sod, leaf, peat, humus and sand.
The substrate is peat, leaf, humus soil and bone meal (1: 1: 1: 0,2).
Such diseases of nephrolepis as drying and wilting of leaves are often caused by too dry air. If ferns lose greenery (due to drying out of the substrate), all leaves should be cut off, the plant should be placed in a lighted place and the earthen lump should be kept moderately moist. After a while, new leaves will appear from the ground. Pale color of leaves is observed with too bright sunlight and insufficient nutrition. The yellowing of leaves with brown ends is due to too dry air.
Pests and diseases in rooms are rarely affected, occasionally an infection with a scabbard can be observed.
Attention! Do not use products to make the leaves shine.
