Diplazium

Family. Athyriaceae.

Origin. North America, Siberia.

Description. Diplazium is a very numerous genus of ferns. Forms a large basal rosette of 5 - 6 narrow fronds up to 1 m long. The fronds are whole or dissected, consisting of 20 - 40 pairs of alternate green smooth leaves. A thick, powerful rhizome can turn into a short trunk with age. Sterile fronds are curved and form arches, while spore-bearing fronds stand upright and have a narrower shape. The main distinguishing feature of this fern is that it forms small daughter plants on its branches.

Height. Up to 1 m.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Keep at room temperature year-round. 

Lighting

Prefers partial shade or even deep shade. Does not tolerate sunlight, which can cause burns on the leaves.

Care

Remove old dried leaves promptly. 

Substrate

Rich in organic matter, constantly moist but well-drained, peat-based with the addition of coarse river sand or perlite.

Feeding

In spring and summer, we fertilize with liquid fertilizers at half strength every 2 weeks.

Flowering time

Doesn't bloom. 

Air humidity

Requires high air humidity - at least 50%. Dry air can cause leaves to dry out. We increase the air humidity in the room by regularly spraying water over the plant, but without spraying it directly. High air humidity stimulates the growth of ferns. You can place the pot with diplazium on a tray with wet pebbles or use a room humidifier.

Soil moisture

The earthen ball should be moist all year round, but neither excess water in the pot nor the soil should be allowed to dry out; for irrigation we use soft water at room temperature; From time to time, the fern pot should be immersed in water. 

Transplant

Repotting is done as needed, in spring - when the root system fills the pot. A larger container encourages additional growth. Roots can be cut back by a third of their length before repotting.

Reproduction

This species grows from rhizomes that spread horizontally under the soil surface. Divide adult specimens in spring when replanting. Numerous daughter bushes form directly on the fronds and, having reached the soil surface, successfully root. Spores can be sown in spring.

Note

Diplazium fronds are eaten.

Pests and diseases

Yellow leaf tips are often a sign of overwatering and can be trimmed off. Check the roots to see if they are starting to rot. Healthy fern roots have white or light brown tips. If the roots are blackened, they should be trimmed off. Browning of leaves can indicate low humidity, although older branches may simply turn brown due to age. Trim off such leaves and increase the humidity around the fern.

Pest infestations are rare, mealybugs sometimes appear.