Didymochlaena

Family. Didymochlaenaceae.

Origin. Tropical America.

Description. Didymochlaena is an evergreen fern with large leaves collected in a basal rosette. The leaves are shiny, dark green, arranged in 2 rows in pairs, about 2.5 cm long. Young leaves have an attractive reddish tint. When mature, this fern forms a short, thick trunk.

Height.  With good maintenance it can reach a height of 1 - 1.5 m.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Requires a room temperature of about 22 °C all year round, but tolerates short-term temperature drops to 15 °C. In winter, protect the fern from cold drafts and do not place the container with the plant near a cold window.

Lighting

Does not tolerate direct sunlight. Feels best in partial shade. In its natural habitat, it grows in the deep shade of large trees.

Care

The main difficulty in growing this fern is its need for constant moisture.

Substrate

Well drained, nutritious, high in organic matter. A mixture of peat, leaf humus and coarse sand. 

Feeding

It is not recommended to feed didymochlaena with inorganic fertilizers. Use natural fertilizers every two weeks from early spring to mid-autumn.

Purpose

The flower loves warm conditions, high air humidity and regular and abundant watering. It is suitable for greenhouses, where appropriate conditions and enough space for development are created.

Flowering time

Doesn't bloom. 

Air humidity

Spraying is necessary. In addition, it is advisable to place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles or use a room humidifier.

Soil moisture

During the growing season, water frequently and deeply. Don't let the earthen clod dry out. In winter, reduce watering enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely.

Transfer

Replant young didymochlaenas every spring. For adult specimens, it is enough to replace the top layer of soil with fresh soil.

Reproduction

Propagated by dividing large bushes during transplantation, and each part should have its own leaves and a sufficiently developed root system. After planting, cover the young seedlings with a plastic cap or glass to maintain humidity. After 2 weeks, the cap can be removed. Spores sown in the spring.

Pests and diseases

The leaves turn yellow and dry out when direct sunlight reaches the foliage. Brown spots on branches form when exposed to cold air or a decrease in overall temperature. Branches fall off when there is too much or too little water. When kept in a room with too dry air, the edges of the leaves turn yellow and dry out. 

Insect pests include scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies.

Note

With good care, didymochlaena will live for a very long time indoors.