There are two main ways to Propagate Bird Nest Ferns. You can divide them and replant them or you can grow them from the spores which are found on the backs of their fronds.
As you can see in the picture below this Bird Nest Fern is in bad need of some tender loving care. I am going to give this plant new life, by dividing it into two or more plants and replanting it in some new healthy soil.
If you have one in your home then this article could help as I will show you step by step how to propagate a bird nest ferns in this article.
Collect these items before you start to replant your plants
If possible turn the planter pot on its side and tap side of the pot to loosen soil then tip out onto a clean tray. Look carefully at the fern to see how many plants you can make. If it is a solid plant you should be able to cut into 3 or 4 equal parts.
Using the knife make clean cuts making sure that each section has adequate roots. If insufficient roots then divide into two halves.
Cut all fronds back to a height of 15cm above the crown to keep the strength in the roots. Put the divided plants aside and prepare the soil.
When replanting from one pot to another it is important to sterilize the pots before use. Old or even new pots that are stored can attract parasites, bacteria or larva eggs that could destroy your new plants.
A safe way to sterilize your pots is with a solution of half vinegar and half water. Immerse pots into this solution for at least an hour then wash thoroughly and rinse with warm water.
As you can see in the above picture I had not sterilized this picture when taking the photo.
Add some more potting mix to the soil on the tray from existing plant. Then add some organic fertilizer and mix thoroughly together.
Place old leaves in the base of clean sterilized pots to create drainage. Bird Ferns need to have good drainage in their pots.
These ferns love being planted in a minimum of organic material. So be careful not to plant too deep as they need planting close to the top of the soil.
Plant your divided ferns with the crowns of the plant still showing above the soil. Water well and leave in a shaded area.
This photo was taken before I realized that I had forgotten to cut the fronds shorter.
If you look at the back of the fronds of your fern you will notice the sporangia and that it is ready to release its spores.
Cut the frond off with a sharp knife and lay on clean white paper or cloth for collection of spores.
Shake several spores on the top of a small pot of sterilized seed mix. Cover with cling wrap and spray with a mist of water twice a week. When sprouted (like moss) Lift out and re-plant in small clumps on top of another pot of sterilized seed mix.
When small plants shoot transplant into small seed pots and replant as they grow larger.
If you are thinking of going away for the holidays, you may wish to think about preventing all those weeds from growing while you are away. I know when we went away for two weeks everything was okay, although my Mum and Dad went off for two months and the weeds were about six foot tall when they returned. The best way to do this is to use newspaper and lay out in between your plants, preventing weeds from growing in between. You can also use cardboard and if preferred place some mulch over the top to make it look better.
Larger ferns can also be grown from crowns which appear at the base of fern. Separate and plant in new pots.
Runners or rhizomes often hang over the sides of hanging baskets. These can be pulled off and replanted into new pots. This is a quicker way of growing them than from spores.[1]
Now you have many different options for saving money and growing lots of different ferns.
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