Polypodium

Family. Polypodiaceae.

Origin. America, Africa.

Description. Polypodium is a perennial evergreen epiphytic fern. The rhizome is creeping, thin - about 2 mm in diameter, covered with scales. The fronds are green, erect or gracefully curved, 25 - 60 cm long, consist of many long leaf segments and are located on petioles that are up to 70 cm long. The sporangia are large, bright brown or orange in color, arranged in 2 rows on the underside of the fronds.

Height. Up to 30 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Moderate - cool content at a temperature of 16 to 18 ° C is optimal.

Lighting

A well-lit place without direct sunlight on the plant. Grows well in partial shade and shade. When the light is too bright, the leaves take on a reddish tint. 

Care

If you satisfy the polypodium's needs for high air humidity, it will grow well for many years in indoor culture. 

Substrate

It is best to place it on wooden stumps, which give this fern an additional decorative effect, or in a ready-made orchid mixture.

Feeding

Liquid fertilizer in half concentration during the period of active growth 2 times a month. Reacts well to organic fertilizers.

Purpose

Fern leaves look good in flower arrangements. 

Flowering time

Doesn't bloom.

Air humidity

About 75 - 80%. Maintain high humidity by placing the fern container on a tray of damp pebbles or using a room humidifier. Spraying can be done. 

Soil moisture

Keep the soil evenly moist at any time of the year and do not overdry the earthen ball. At elevated temperatures, the frequency of watering should also be increased. 

Transfer

Polypodium is repotted as needed to replace the soil or when the plant outgrows its pot, in the spring.

Reproduction

By dividing adult plants during transplantation. Make sure all cuttings have both types of leaves and roots. You can propagate using spores, but this is a rather labor-intensive task. 

Pests and diseases

Of the harmful insects, the main danger to polypodium are scale insects and spider mites. Sometimes mealybugs appear.