HINTS ON THE CHETIVATION OF FERNS 
103 
H I NTS ON TH E CU LTI VATIC N 
01 
F F R N 
... . . 
The greatly-increased popularity of Ferns, indicated by the many enquiries we are constantly 
receiving as to the conditions necessary for their well-being, leads us to enlarge somewhat upon pur 
former “ Hints on the Cultivation of Ferns f with the hope th&,t by placing the results of our own 
experience and observation before our readers they may secure for themselves the delight and 
pleasure which the successful cultivation of these graceful plants is sure to afford. Our object will be 
to give clear and concise information, rather than to enter upon an elaborate and lengthy dissertation. 
In the first place we would remark that the nearer we can attain to their natural con- 
ditions of growth, the better we shall succeed in their cultivation, and it is a great encouragement 
to try to do this when we know that they are not only the most beautiful class of plants grown, but 
also the most accommodating, as many of them will grow. where little or nothing else would. The 
evergreen varieties are always nice, and prove a source of pleasure the year round, particularly in 
winter, when their soft green foliage is so cheering ; and although the deciduous kinds are lost for a 
while during the winter months, when they reappear in spring the beauty of their new foliage is 
doubly appreciated. Ferns, on account of their many good qualities, are worthy of everyone’s 
attention, and repay a hundredfold those who bestow upon them the necessary care, and whether 
they be cultivated in the stove or greenhouse, in the outdoor fernery, on shady window sills in boxes, 
in the drawing-room in cases, or in the house without cases — in every suitable situation they will 
add a charm to the place otherwise unattainable. 
We purpose giving a few hints as to the temperature, watering, repotting, and soil, &c., required 
by those grown indoors in pots, in rockeries, and in hanging baskets ; the treatment, &c., of Filmy 
Ferns ; also of those in an outdoor fernery, those in Fern cases, and those growing in rooms without 
covering ; and in addition, a few suggestions as to the eradication of the insects by which they are 
liable to be attacked. 
It is necessary to remember that Ferns are shade and moisture loving plants.; . Yet the 
amount of shade, and also of atmospheric moisture, required by the various species is so varied that 
we feel ourselves under the necessity of roughly dividing them into classes, and noting the particular 
treatment most suitable for each class. We say roughly, because we can only speak in general terms 
in any remarks which claim to be brief. . Nevertheless, we hope even with brevity to give hints of 
much value to those who are inexperienced in the management of Ferns. 
The fact that Ferns are generally found growing under the shelter of larger vegetation, or of rocks, 
or sloping banks, will at once suggest the necessity for cultivating them under somewhat similar 
conditions, i.e., protected from the direct rays of the midday sun, and from the force of strong winds ; 
for although Ferns are sometimes found exposed to both sun and wind, yet such plants lack that 
delicacy of colour and texture which make those in sheltered situations so lovely and refreshing to 
look upon. Those which require the deepest shade are what are known as Filmy Fbkns, amongst 
which are the various species of Todea, Hymenophyllum, and Trichomanbs. Most of these do 
well in a house or frame having a north aspect, and with all the light such an aspect will afibrd in the 
dark winter months, during which the glass should be kept clean and unshaded, say from the middle 
of November to the middle of February. About the latter time the increasing brightness of the sun 
will make slight shade necessary for houses exposed to direct sunlight ; and this must be increased in 
density as the summer advances, and lessened again as the days shorten in the autumn. 
Filmy Ferns flourish in an atmosphere heavily charged with moisture at all times, and rather 
deep shade is necessary in summer in order to retain sufficient moisture in the atmosphere. This 
should be done by watering or syringing the walls and paths, and such surfaces as can be 
conveniently watered without throwing it on the foliage. We would say, do not syringe the fronds 
if it is possible to keep them damp enough without it. The condensation of moisture on the fronds 
is what is desirable, rather than syringing volumes of water upon them, though in very hot and bright 
weather slight syringing may be necessary in some situations, for the fronds must never be allowed to 
get dry enough to cause them to shrivel. Artificial heat should not be given to Filmy Ferns, except 
in the case of a few of the very delicate subjects from hot climates, and to keep them from freezing 
during winter. The temperature of our country is high enough for many of those in general cultiva- 
tion, such as Todea superb a, T. pellucid a, Trichomanbs radio ans (the Killarney Fern), and 
some of the Hymenophyllums, and they may be grown beautifully in a cold garden frame, where 
the requisite shade and moisture are provided for them. Indeed we find artificial heat more 
productive of injury to these Ferns than the frost of the late severe winters. If they must be in a 
house artificially heated, they will be benefited by an additional glass covering, to prevent the drying 
influence of the heat from the pipes spoiling their appearance by browning and shrivelling their foliage. 
