Bird’s Nest Ferns take off

Ferns have always been an important group in the tropical or foliage plant industry. Their diversity of shapes and sizes offer the commercial grower and consumer almost inexhaustible choices. A popular group of ferns often referred to as “Bird’s Nest Ferns” are members of the genus Asplenium and Asplenium nidus has been a popular tropical plant going back to the Victorian era and remains a popular fern today.

Flocking to the scene more recently are species and named selections of Asplenium antiquum, sometimes referred to as the Japanese Bird’s Nest Fern. Both species grow in a bowl or vase shape, leading to the common name Bird’s Nest Fern.

A. nidus and A. antiquum are easy to grow ferns for both the commercial grower and consumer. They lend themselves to multiple uses, since they can easily be incorporated into the garden, or grown in containers for indoor or outdoor display. Bird’s Nest Ferns are excellent plants for making statements in and around the office and at home.

Asplenium nidus is a larger structured plant than A. antiquum and will grow to larger specs given time. It produces simple, broad, bright green leaves with mildly undulating or wavy margins. A. nidus is easy to grow and relatively pest free. It turns relatively quickly when produced in small pots. You’ll find it easy to grow both ferns in 6-inch and larger containers, to suit a variety of markets and customers.

The most commonly grown A. antiquum varieties are named varieties of the species. A. ‘Victoria’ has distinctive wavy fronds that grow in a beautiful rosette and was one of the first patented ferns in the United States.

The newest named antiquum selections, ‘Crissie’ and ‘Leslie’, take this group of ferns to the next level of interest. As these plants mature, the ends of the fronds become branched or crested forming a very unique look. ‘Crissie’ has a more open look and larger structure than ‘Leslie’ and is excellent for 6-inch to 8-inch containers. ‘Leslie’ is more compact and upright in its growth habit, making a great 4-inch to 6-inch container plant.Both A. nidus and A. antiquum varieties have similar cultural requirements and can be grown together.
 

Light

Mature plants can tolerate high light levels, but commercially grow best with 80 to 90 percent shade or 1,000 and 2,000 foot candles. Excessive light will slow the growth and cause frond deformities.
 

Media

Use a potting medium high in organic content, e.g. peat: bark or perlite (2:1 by volume), that has good water-holding capacity and good aeration. A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is preferred.
 

Fertilizer

Birds Nest Ferns are light feeders and only require low doses of fertilizer. Use a fertilizer with a 17-5-17, 14-4-14 or 20-10-20 ratio. Do not apply urea or fertilizer formulas with high ammonia nitrogen. Apply at 100 ppm N with clear water irrigation every second fertilization. Excessive fertilizer will slow the growth rate and cause fronds to thicken and deform, and can cause leaf necrosis, especially if media is allowed to dry out.
 

Temperature

The best temperature for Bird’s Nest Fern growth is 70 to 90° F. Temperatures slightly outside of this range will not reduce plant quality but will reduce growth rates. High humidity should be maintained.
 

Pests and Diseases

Bird’s Nest Ferns generally do not experience a lot of pest or disease problems. Monitor and scout carefully to prevent any insect and disease activity. Follow standard sanitation practices to ensure continued healthy plants. Preventive measures such as maintaining good air circulation and managing moisture levels will also go a long way toward avoiding pest or disease development.

Watch for bacterial leaf (frond) blight caused by Pseudomonas, which is generally associated with excessive overhead irrigation or rainfall. Pests to watch for are Caterpillars, Fungus Gnats, Mealybugs, Scale and Slugs.
 

The future of ferns

Aglaomorpha coronans, a collectors’ item for many decades, is poised to go mainstream thanks to refined production and commercial growing techniques. This attractive and versatile epiphytic fern features leathery, durable rich green fronds that change in form and look with age. At maturity, plants produce thick and fuzzy amber colored rhizomes eventually cascading down the sides of the pot. An excellent container plant for both outdoor patio and indoor spaces, A. coronans is easy to grow on a large scale. Try it in small to large pots, bowls, hanging baskets, wall or tree mounts or just about any container.

Platycerium madagascar deserves a second look. This staghorn fern species has a smaller and more compact growth habit than other staghorn varieties. Its lovely fronds have an attractive silver cast on the undersides and are more upright, reducing bench space requirements. Because madagascar’s fronds fork earlier than others, you get the unique staghorn appearance even in smaller containers. Produce via the traditional methods mounted on tree fern fiber, slabs of wood or wire baskets, or grow as a 4 to 6 inch container plant that can be more easily enjoyed indoors.

Microsorum musifolium Crocodyllus^PP13653 lives up to its name with interesting markings on its long, flat fronds. The pattern almost mimics a crocodile hide, and the effect becomes more pronounced with maturity. An added benefit: the fronds provide a long lasting cut foliage option.

Crocodyllus is suitable for both small and large containers as well as hanging baskets. Like many ferns, it prefers low light or indirect sunlight and high humidity.

Gary Hennen is president of Oglesby Plants International, a premier breeder, young plant producer and tissue culture specialist offering an extensive range of tropicals, foliage plants and perennials.