Pteris

Family. Adianthaceae.

Where does it grow? Mediterranean, Asia.

Description. Pteris is a large and diverse genus of about 280 species of land ferns. The rhizomes are short, creeping, and branched. The fronds are green, erect in the center and gracefully curved at the edges. The shape, size, and color of the fronds vary greatly depending on the specific species. Some Pteris have strap-shaped green fronds with a white stripe along the central vein. Other plants have compound fronds consisting of numerous pairs of long green leaves arranged oppositely. Pteris cretense is characterized by palmately dissected fronds of a dark green color, reminiscent of deer antlers. Pteris ensiformis is very decorative and is characterized by dissected fronds with thin white stripes.

Height. Depending on the species, reaches a height of 20 - 80 cm. 

Care at home

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, the pteris is kept in moderately warm conditions at a temperature of 18 - 20 °C. At higher temperatures, the air humidity and frequency of watering are increased. In the winter months, a period of rest begins, which the fern should spend in a cool place - at a temperature of about 13 °C. Variegated varieties are kept in a warm room all year round.

Lighting

A well-lit place without direct sunlight. Can be grown in partial shade. If there is a lack of natural light, you can successfully illuminate with fluorescent lamps.

Care

Representatives of this genus are quite unpretentious compared to many other ferns. Remove damaged or old, yellowed leaves at the base in a timely manner. Do not place the pot in corridors and other places where people constantly walk - the fronds break easily.

Substrate

A mixture of garden soil, peat, leaf humus and sand. The soil should have good drainage and an acidic pH.

Feeding

In spring and summer, feed with liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2 weeks.

Purpose

A huge variety of species and varieties will satisfy the most demanding gardeners. Pteris is perfect for landscaping poorly lit rooms.

Flowering time

Doesn't bloom.

Air humidity

Ferns need high humidity, especially as the summer heat sets in. Keep the pteris away from heat sources. Ensure good air circulation. Place the pot on a tray of wet pebbles or use a humidifier. The pot can be surrounded by a thick layer of wet sphagnum. You can spray the fronds in the morning so that the moisture has time to evaporate before dark.

Soil moisture

Watering should be regular and abundant during the growing season. Pteris does not tolerate drought. It is advisable to use bottom watering, immersing the pot in a large container of water for several minutes. In autumn, the frequency of watering is slightly reduced in accordance with the temperature. For watering, use softened water at room temperature - for example, bottled, rain, melted. To reduce hardness, you can add regular baking soda to tap water - a teaspoon per 2 liters of water.

Transfer

Replanting is carried out in the spring, as needed - when the soil needs to be changed to fresh soil, or the pot has become frankly small.

Reproduction

It reproduces by dividing the rhizome, each part should have several leaves and a well-developed root system. Less often it reproduces by spores - this method is quite easy, but takes time. In the natural environment, self-seeding often appears under adult specimens.

Pests and diseases

Leaves turn yellow and dry out in low humidity or prolonged drought. Pteris slows growth in low light, but direct sunlight can cause sunburn on the leaves.

Of the harmful insects, the most common are thrips, nematodes, mealybugs, aphids and spider mites, whiteflies, and scale insects.  

Note

With good care, pteris lives for many years in indoor conditions.