Davallia

Family. Davalliaceae.

Origin. It is native to Malaysia, where it usually grows as an epiphyte.

Description. The genus Davallia includes about 30 species of mostly epiphytic ferns, often grown as houseplants. Most species have creeping rhizomes that are densely covered with long silvery-white, black or brown bristles and resemble rabbit feet. The rhizomes are located on the surface of the substrate, often hanging over the edge of the pot and are 1.5 to 2 cm thick. The leaves are delicate, patterned, repeatedly dissected into small leaflets, light green, triangular, about 40 - 45 cm long and 30 cm wide, on long petioles.

Height. It grows quite quickly and reaches 45 cm in height.

Home care

Propagation

Propagate in spring by cuttings of rhizomes 5-7.5 cm long, each part should have one or two branches. Use a sharp knife. Place the cuttings in shallow pots about 8 cm in diameter, filled with wet peat and sand. Place a piece of root on the surface of the soil and press it lightly into it. Cover the young seedling with a plastic cap or glass to maintain humidity. Rooting occurs within 3-4 weeks. Gradually increase the ventilation time over 2-3 weeks when watering. After 3-4 months, transplant the young ferns and care for them like adults.

How to replant

Repotting is done in the spring and only when the davallia has outgrown the pot. This fern has a root system on the soil surface, so repot it in a larger, shallow pot. When repotting, place the rhizomes on the soil surface, as they easily rot if buried. Large specimens can be divided into several parts during the process.

Soil 

Loose and well-drained, with sufficient organic matter in the form of leaf humus, pine bark and sphagnum moss. To improve drainage, add coarse sand to the mixture.

Watering 

Water sparingly throughout the year. Let the surface of the soil dry between waterings to a depth of 2.5 cm. In winter, reduce watering so much as not to dry out the earthen ball. It is advisable to use bottom watering through a tray. In the summer months, bathing will be helpful - immerse the bottom of the pot in a container of warm water for about half an hour and drain off excess moisture. Make sure that the fluffy rhizomes do not submerge in water. Reduce watering during the winter months when growth slows. 

How to care 

Place the plant in a cool location for the winter, but do not expose it to temperatures below 13°C. This fern may lose a few leaves during the winter, but this is normal.

Diseases and pests 

The tips of the leaves dry out when there is a lack of air humidity. The leaves take on a pale appearance and grow slowly when there is a lack of nutrients. Leaves also change color with too much or too little light. When exposed to cold drafts, yellow spots may appear on the leaves.

Insect pests that can affect the fern include mealybugs, thrips, scale insects, spider mites, whiteflies and aphids, as well as nematodes.

Spraying 

Fluffy rhizomes absorb moisture from the air. Mist the bushes every day with soft water at room temperature so that they do not dry out. Use a room humidifier or place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles. This fern does not tolerate exposure to cold drafts and the proximity of heating devices.

Temperature

The optimal temperature range is 16 - 24 ° C in the warm season. In winter, it is advisable to lower the temperature to 13 - 15 ° C.

Lighting

Davallias need a well-lit place without exposure to direct sun; they tolerate partial shade. Sun rays may cause burns on the leaves. In the cold season, when there is a lack of sun, supplementary lighting with fluorescent lamps is possible. 

Feeding

Feed regularly with liquid fertilizer diluted by half every two weeks from early spring to mid-autumn. Do not feed in winter.

Purpose

Davallia is often grown in hanging baskets. Its fuzzy rhizomes hang over the edges of the basket and add to the attractiveness of this plant. 

Flowering time

Doesn't bloom. 

Note

Davallia can live for many years indoors with proper care. The plant's amusing second name, "rabbit's foot".

Varieties:

Davallia mariesii

An epiphytic deciduous fern native to Japan. The plants have creeping rhizomes covered with light brown scales. The fronds are aerial, repeatedly dissected, triangular, dark green, reaching a length of 25 cm. This variety is compact in size - often the plants do not exceed 15 cm. 

Davallia canariensis

A showy evergreen epiphytic fern with light brown, downy rhizomes that often hang over the edges of the pot. Lacy, light green fronds reach a length of 45 cm and have an elongated triangular shape. Adult plants reach a height of 50 cm.

This variety has become widespread in indoor culture due to its attractive appearance, and also because the plants can withstand low air humidity. 

Davallia fejeensis

 A fairly large fern with fluffy rhizomes that crawl along the surface of the soil. The attractive pubescence of the rhizomes consists of long, light brown hairs 1 - 2 cm long. The fronds are repeatedly dissected, triangular, aerial, reaching a length of 80 cm. The color of the fronds is dark green or blue-green.