Asplenium scolopendrium

Asplenium Scolopendrium, also known as ‘Hart's Tongue Fern’, is a small type of fern grown up to 30 cm tall. It has numerous green leaves clustered densely. 
The plant has undivided fronds shaped like a tongue, so it is commonly named as "Hart's tongue fern". Its sporangia is in yellowish-brown and shaped like a centipede's legs
To take vegetative propagation of this plant, you can dig up original plant before it germinates in spring. The divided seedlings can be planted in the soil with 20-30 cm row spacing. 
Spore reproduction is also available to get new plants. During May to June, when the sporangia at the back the leaves turn brown, pick the spore leaves and put them into sulfuric acid paper bags. 
After sealing the bag, you can place them in ventilated and dry place. The spores will shoot into bag when they become mature. 
The spores are very small, dust-like and yellowish-brown. You may collected them in a clean tube and stored in a 4℃ refrigerator. You can also sow them immediately. To sow the spores, it is recommended to put humus soil into the pot after sieving. Pour boiling water through the soil to sterilize and wait for soil to become cool. 
As the spores are very tiny, when sowing, you may hold your breath to avoid losing them occasionally. Then scatter the spores evenly into the basin soil substrate. You can also make spores into a suspension liquid with water and spray them onto the substrate. 
After that, cover the basin with glass or plastic film to moisturize and prevent other bacteria from entering. Place the sowing pot in a place with sufficient scattered light. The temperature is recommended to be controlled at 20℃-30℃.
During spore cultivation, the substrate should be kept moist. You can put the seed pot in a shallow pool or carefully spray water onto it. About half a month later, the green prothallus can grow out from the soil. Pay attention to keep the surface of the prothallus moist during this time. This method can facilitate the combination of sperm and eggs on prothallus and improve the fertilization rate.
After 30 days, young sporophytes will grow on the prothallus. When growing to 3-4 leaves, they can be transplanted and gradually adapt to the external environment.
You can choose a concealed, moist forest edge for cultivation, and the soil need to be loose, deep, and rich in calcareous as well.

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Plant Story™

Asplenium Scolopendrium

Asplenium scolopendrium

Gallery

Share With Your Friends

How to Grow

Characteristics

Benefits

Attracts

More Info

Taxonomy