Microlepia

Family. Dennstaedtiaceae.

Origin. Tropics of Asia and India.

Description. Microlepia is an attractive openwork fern with bright green, triangular, curved fronds up to 80 cm long. Young fronds and shoots are pubescent, petioles reach a length of 1 m. The rhizome is short, creeping powerful, up to 1 cm in diameter, covered with pubescence in the form of thin hairs.

Height. In its natural habitat it reaches 2 m in height; when grown indoors, the size is more modest.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Considers the ideal temperature to be between 18 - 22° C throughout the year. Do not expose microlepia to temperatures below 7°C. 

Lighting

Grows well in partial shade, does not tolerate direct sun.

Care

Microlepia is quite easy to grow in rooms with high air humidity - for example, in the kitchen or bathroom. During the warmer months, this plant will appreciate being outdoors.

Substrate

Soil consisting of ½ peat with the addition of leaf humus and coarse river sand to improve drainage. 

Feeding

Feed the fern twice a month during the growing season with complex liquid fertilizers at half concentration.

Purpose

Quite a picky species that will grow in the shadiest places of the house. Looks great when grown in a hanging basket.

Flowering time

Doesn't bloom. 

Air humidity

High - place the pot with the plant on a tray with a grate, the bottom of which is filled with water. Make sure that the bottom of the pot does not have direct contact with moisture. You can also use a room humidifier to increase humidity. You can spray the plant with rainwater, which will not leave stains on the leaves. Air humidity should correspond to the temperature of the content - the higher the temperature, the higher the air humidity should be. 

Soil moisture

In summer you should water moderately - the top layer of soil should have time to dry before the next watering. In winter, protect the soil from drying out completely. During warmer months, you can use bottom watering by placing the plant pot in a large container of water for a few minutes and allowing excess moisture to drain. For spills, use softened bottled water or rainwater. 

Transplantation

Replant as needed, in the spring, when the rhizome covers the entire surface of the soil. Can be replanted in shallow bowls, since the root system is superficial.

Reproduction

By dividing large plants during transplantation in the spring. Each division should have well-developed leaves and rhizomes. Spores are sown in spring on the surface of the soil, seedlings are kept at a temperature of at least 20° C. 

Pests and diseases

The tips of the leaves turn brown and dry out when there is insufficient air humidity. Vai may turn yellow when exposed to sunlight.

Of the harmful insects, ferns can be attacked by scale insects and mealybugs.

Note

 Microlepia lives indoors for a long time with proper care.