Nephrolepis

Nephrolepis: plant description

Fern Nephrolepis: plant photo

Nephrolepis is a species of the genus of ferns belonging to the Lomariopsis family. In another classification, the vegetation belongs to the Davalliev family. The name in Latin was formed by means of 2 Greek words "nephros" and "lepis", in translation meaning "kidneys" and "scales", it is associated with the type of bedspread. Approximately thirty species of this fern can be found in the wild; it is widespread on a global scale. The birthplace of Nephrolepis is the shaded forests of the tropics of the American territory, the southeast Asian territory, the African and Australian continents. The plant is cultivated as an ampelous plant or grown in a pot, it is used to decorate various places. In addition to the fact that the fern is famous for its decorative effect, it also contributes to the excellent purification of the air.

Nephrolepis has no flowers.

Sunlight must be diffused without fail. The container is placed near the western, northern or eastern windowsill. Daylight hours should last for fourteen to sixteen hours.

Temperature conditions during the growing season should remain within twenty-twenty-four degrees, at the dormant stage - should be approximately fifteen degrees.

The number and volume of waterings depend on the room temperature. In the cool, the fern asks for less liquid. Do not forget that between watering, the surface soil layer must dry out without fail.

Humidity should be high. For this purpose, the bush is systematically and abundantly sprayed, sprinkling is regularly carried out, the container is placed on a pallet, which is filled with moistened pebbles.

Fern Nephrolepis is fed on March-September days three to four times every 30 days. For this purpose, a complex is used for decorative deciduous vegetation. If the plant tolerates the winter season in a warm room, then fertilizing is applied once a month. The resting stage is observed in October-February days. Young bushes need to be replanted annually, adult ferns are replanted once every two to three years.

Fern Nephrolepis: video about growing a plant

Herbaceous terrestrial or epiphyte fern. His rhizome is shortened. The rosette consists of leaves of a plumose complex type of greenish color, growing on shortened petioles, stretching up to seventy cm in length.The leaves contain lanceolate segments with edges in the form of teeth, about fifty mm in length, their inner part has a central vein, along its sides there are round sori. When the time comes, the leaves turn yellow and die. Shoots without leaves can move away from the root, their top is covered with scales. These shoots will soon be able to give roots when they take root.

Nephrolepis: home care

Before purchasing home-grown Nephrolepsis, it is imperative to find out information about its care.

Illumination level.

Sunlight must be diffused without fail, because the scorching sun is harmful to the plant. Therefore, a place is selected for him farther from the window and from the direct sun. If you decide to put the fern on the window, then place it on the western, northern or eastern windowsill.

In order for the Nephrolepsis fern to grow and develop well, daylight hours must continue for fourteen to sixteen hours a day, therefore, additional highlighting will be required for the splendor and showiness of the bush. The development of this plant will be optimal under fluorescent lamps, therefore, it is often used to decorate the halls of large business centers or hotels.

Temperature conditions.

In spring and summer, the most optimal temperature conditions should be in the range of twenty to twenty-four degrees. But with sufficient moistening of the leaves from the sprayer, it can be cultivated at a higher temperature regime. In the winter season, a cool temperature is required (about fifteen degrees), do not forget that the bush should be at a great distance from heating objects. If it is not possible to rearrange the fern in the cool for wintering, then leave it in the same place, and spraying the leaves and watering will be similar to these procedures in spring and summer. If the winter season is warm, then the bush will grow and develop, only more slowly.

Fertilization.

The houseplant Nephrolepis, which is cultivated at home, must be fed regularly, for this purpose, a complex of fertilizers for decorative deciduous vegetation is used, and the dosage of the solution should be one-fourth of that indicated on the pack. Top dressing is applied in March-September days three to four times a month. If the fern is cool in the winter season, then fertilizers are not applied during this period. But if the plant tolerates winter in a warm room, then feeding continues, but once every four weeks.

Watering.

Watering Nephrolepis is carried out immediately after the drying of the surface soil layer. Moreover, the amount and volume of watering directly depends on the temperature of the room regime; less water is required in the coolness of the vegetation. If the bush is cool in the winter season, then watering is reduced and carried out in less volume.

Air humidity indicator.

The air humidity in the room where the Nephrolepis fern grows should be high. For this purpose, it is required to regularly and in sufficient quantities to spray the leaves, and also to carry out sprinkling once a month. Also, in order to increase the level of moisture, expanded clay or pebbles are poured into the pan and such a volume of liquid is poured so that it does not come into contact with the bottom of the container. Watered with well-filtered or settled water at room temperature conditions.

Transplanting.

Young bushes are transplanted every year in the spring, adult plants are transplanted once every two to three years. To grow a fern, a plastic pot is selected, since it will retain liquid in the soil mixture for a longer time than in ceramic containers. The root system of the plant lies on the surface, so it must be planted in a low and not narrow container.

When a bush is transplanted, first a good drainage layer of expanded clay is laid on the bottom of the pot, after which it is covered with a light substrate consisting of coniferous and greenhouse soil and high peat in a 1: 1: 1 ratio. Professionals recommend pouring bone meal (5 g / 1 kg of substrate) into the prepared soil mixture. If you do not want to prepare the soil mixture yourself, you can purchase a ready-made one in a special garden store, for this purpose an acidic substrate for fern plants is suitable, as well as soil for calla lilies, camellias or hydrangeas with an acid-base balance of 4.5-5.5.

At the time of transplanting, it is worth making sure that there is an elevation of the root collar above the surface soil layer.The first days after transplanting, the plant should always be in high humidity, and do not forget to ensure that the substrate in the container is constantly slightly moistened.

Harmful insects and diseases.

If, during cultivation at home, illiterate care of a plant is carried out, then there is a risk that it will be attacked by aphids, spider mites, whiteflies or scale insects. To get rid of these pests, the fern is sprayed with an insecticide solution, for example, with Aktara, Aktellik and others.

Difficulties that may arise when growing.

• The leaves of Nephrolepis are withered. The most common cause of this problem is sparse or low watering. In a situation where only the ends of the leaves dry out, a very low level of air humidity is to blame.
• The leaves are flying around. In some cases, the color of the foliage may change to brown, after which the leaves may curl up and fly around. The reasons for this problem: the room temperature is very cold; the bush was watered with excessively cold, non-soft water or water with bleach; drafts.
• The appearance of dry spots on the leaves. In frequent cases, the surface of the leaves is covered with dry spots due to burns caused by the rays of the sun.

Fern qualities.

Professionals say that Nephrolepis absorbs electromagnetic waves and energy that is dangerous to humans. It also strengthens the body's defenses, allows it to stay in good shape, and also cleans the air space from negative evaporation and dust. At home, it is recommended to place the bush near the TV or next to the computer, in addition, it can decorate any office space. According to psychologists, when Nephrolepis is close to people for a long time, it will reveal perseverance, prudence and perseverance. But it is worth considering that tobacco smoke reduces these valuable qualities of this fern vegetation.

Nephrolepis: houseplant propagation

Fern Nephrolepis: plant photo

Fern Nephrolepis is propagated by shoots, by dividing rhizomes or by offspring. And this is due to the fact that most of the varietal species do not have fruits. Those varietal species that form spores do not carry maternal characteristics in young ferns.

Reproduction by Nephrolepis by dividing the bush.

In this way, reproduction is carried out in the spring, you must try to carry it out together with transplantation. To achieve the goal, large adult bushes are selected that have more than one point of growth. Each split piece must contain at least one growth point. Delenki are planted in separate plastic containers, after which abundant watering is carried out. For the quick rooting of the separated parts, they must be kept in cool temperature conditions (fifteen to eighteen degrees) and at an increased level of air humidity. After planting, the delenki do not actively develop for quite a long time, since they first need to build up the root system.

Reproduction method of Nephrolepis by offspring.

It is required to take a container, fill it with a light soil mixture and place it near the container with a fern. Next, you should select one shoot without foliage (tendril), take it to the side, then dig into the prepared substrate five to eight mm deep, and its upper part should be in the air. Before growing the roots, make sure that the potting medium is always slightly damp. Usually, after ten to fourteen days, rooting occurs. After a while, young shoots are formed on the offspring. They are separated from the mother plant only after strengthening the bushes, after which they are planted in an individual container.

Types and varieties of Nephrolepis

Gardeners cultivate a very small number of varieties of nephrolepsis, as well as their varieties. The following will provide detailed information on the most popular varieties.

Nephrolepsis "Sublime" (Nephrolepis exaltata).

This variety can grow wild as a terrestrial plant with a rhizome, or in the form of epiphytic vegetation. The rhizome grows straight, a rosette forms on it, which consists of large leaves of a greenish color, plumose complex type, sitting on shortened petioles, up to seventy cm in length.The leaves contain lanceolate segments, reaching about fifty mm in length, their edges in the form of teeth ... Old leaves turn yellow and die. The inner side of the segments on two sides from the median vein has sori, inside them there are spores. Stolons (lashes that are covered with scales) are formed on the rhizome, they can take root quite quickly. A fern native to the tropics of the southeast Asian territory. It has many garden subspecies and varieties.

• Roosevelt Nephrolepis... Large fern grows leaves with segments in the form of waves. The leaves stick out on different sides.
• Nephrolepis "Maasa"... The leaves are in the form of waves, the bush is compact.
• Nephrolepis "Scott"... The bush is compact, the leaves are curled along the edges.
• Nephrolepis "Green Lady"... A spectacular fern, its difference is that openwork leaves in the form of waves, having a sharp top, gather in a fountain with splendor. The rosette is located on a straight root.

Fern Nephrolepis Green Lady: plant photo

• Nephrolepis "Emina"... Fern of low stature, compact, has almost vertical fronds. The leaves are curly, their edges are sharp-toothed.

Fern Nephrolepis Emina: photo of a plant

• Nephrolepis "Boston", or nephrolepis "Boston". The plant grows vertically, take it out of America by breeders. This fern is used to obtain novelty varieties with double-, triple-, four-pinnate foliage, reaching about one hundred and twenty cm in length, their segments twisted or in the form of waves. Forms: "Hills" and "Fluffy Raffles" - double-pinned leaves; "Whitman" - triple-feather foliage; "Smith" - leaves of a four-pinnate type.
• Nephrolepis "Heart-leaved" (Nephrolepis cordifolia).

Fern Nephrolepis Heart-leaved: photo of a plant

This variety differs from the previous one in that on the shoots that are underground, there are swellings that resemble nodules, their surface is covered with scales of white or silver color. And also its leaves grow almost vertically, they contain compacted segments of a rounded appearance, located like shingles. This species comes from the subtropics, namely, from the forests of the northern and southern latitudes. Cultivation began in 1841. Leaves are often used to create bouquets.

Nephrolepis "Xiphoid" (Nephrolepis biserrata).

Fern Nephrolepis Xiphoid: photo of a plant

This fern comes from the Central American Territory. The leaves are elongated; when cultivated in greenhouses, they can grow up to two to two and a half meters in length. Only huge buildings are decorated with this vegetation.

Nephrolepis: superstitions and omens

The houseplant Nephrolepis is especially popular among gardeners because there are a large number of legends about it, and there are also many signs and superstitions that are associated with it. Someone claims that the plant has a positive effect on people, and on the premises in which they live, work, etc., the other part speaks about the magic of the bush, which can affect the fate of a person. There is a very old legend that says that people are never able to find fern flowers, because the blooming takes place on the night of Ivan Kupala, and they instantly break off with an invisible hand.If someone goes to look for this flower, then he will find himself in various terrible situations associated with mysticism. Another belief tells that the fern protects the house from unclean forces, black magic and evil sorcerers, while protecting the owners so that they do not damage them and the evil eye.

There are also those who are convinced that the Nephrolepis fern makes successful undertakings and deeds, has a beneficial effect on the financial situation of the owners, or rather, attracts money and success to the home, saves people from unnecessary expenses and rash actions. There is a rumor that after Nephrolepsis appeared in the dwelling, people suddenly became rich.

Also, professionals assure that the Nephrolepis fern helps owners with different temperaments in conversations. It eliminates a hot-tempered mood, softens aggressive inclinations, smooths out conflicts and quarrels. Therefore, there is a second name for the fern plant - "golden mean".

Most gardeners are considered non-believers in different signs, the Nephrolepis fern for them is an ornamental plant that can cleanse the air space and create coziness in the house.