Aspidium

Family. Polypodiaceae.

Description. Aspidium is a perennial evergreen fern with a horizontal rhizome, from which arise numerous erect glossy fronds up to 1.3 m in height. The petioles are densely covered with brown, hard scales; The fronds are oblong-ovate, pointed. The rhizome is long, cylindrical, with remains of old petioles, 2.5 - 5 cm in diameter, and up to 40 cm in length.

Height. Up to 1.5 m in height.

Aspidium - care at home

Temperature conditions

For aspidium, the ideal range is 18 - 24º C, not lower than 13º C. 

Lighting

Moderate light without direct sun, regularly turn the pot so that the fern does not lean towards the light source. The leaves can get sunburned.

Care

Keep the fern pot away from direct sun and drafts, provide the necessary humidity and the plant will look quite healthy. Older outer branches may turn brown. This is fine. You can trim them at the base to keep the plant tidy.

Substrate

Based on peat with the addition of perlite.

Feeding

Every 2 weeks in spring and summer, aspidium is fed with liquid fertilizer at half strength to stimulate new growth and healthy-looking leaves. 

Purpose

Quite a large decorative fern for spacious rooms.

Flowering time

Doesn't bloom.

Air humidity

Place the pot on a tray of wet pebbles or use a humidifier if the indoor humidity drops below 50%.

Soil moisture

Keep the soil evenly moist. Water the plant so that water does not get into the outlet. In winter, reduce watering. Avoid stagnation of water at the roots - it can cause rotting.

Transfer

You should not change the pot very often, since the root system of the fern is small. Adult plants are replanted every 2 years, young plants - every year. 

Reproduction

Reproduces by spores, which is quite difficult.

Pests and diseases

Do not use insecticides as the delicate leaves are easily damaged by chemicals. Dry air and lack of moisture cause the leaves to turn brown. Pale leaves and stunted growth indicate a lack of nutrients. 

Mealybugs sometimes appear among harmful insects.