Woodwardia

Family. Blechnaceae.

Origin. Southern Europe and China.

Description. Woodwardia is a very large fern with fronds up to 2 meters long. It is a spectacular evergreen species with long, dark green, arched fronds of an oblong shape. The pinnate fronds have a smooth, waxy surface and are located on long (up to 40 cm) petioles with brown scales. Individual segments have slightly serrated edges and sharp tips. The fern is viviparous - small daughter bushes appear directly at the ends of the frond. Oval sporangia are located on the fronds on the underside of the leaf in rows along the central vein. Sterile leaves are deeply dissected. The plant retains a neat, attractive appearance at any time of the year. The rhizome is thick, creeping, covered with scales.

Height. Up to 1 m.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Likes moderately warm or warm content. Regular room temperature will do. In winter, you can lower the temperature to 10° C. Does not tolerate cold drafts.

Lighting

Choose a location so that the fern is in partial shade or even deep shade. It is worth remembering that the better the lighting, the more often you need to water the woodwardia. In hot summer weather, it needs good shading.

Soil for plants

Prefers organically rich, well-moistened peat-based soil with good drainage.

Feeding woodwardia

Monthly balanced liquid fertilizers in the warm season - spring and summer.

Purpose

A magnificent openwork plant for large rooms. Small species look good in hanging baskets.

Flowering time

Doesn't bloom. 

Air humidity

It is recommended to mist the woodwardia fronds daily or place the pot on a tray with damp pebbles.

Watering woodwardia

Watering is frequent and plentiful; the soil should never dry out. In winter, slightly reduce the amount of water. 

Transplant

Transplant as it grows. Young specimens - annually in spring into larger pots, large adult bushes - every 2-3 years or simply replace the top layer of soil with fresh soil.

Reproduction

Pieces of rhizome, each of which must have roots and leaves. Young offspring appearing at the ends of fronds. 

Pests and diseases

Brown leaf tips indicate insufficient air humidity. Leaves wither and fall off when there is a lack of moisture.

Among the harmful insects, scale insects and aphids can attack the fern.