Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-23
INDOOR FERNERIEs.
How to Select Plants and Transfer
Them From Woods to House.

From the Garden Magazine
The dry heat of our homes in winter is
not at all favorable for the growth Of ma
tive ferns, which by right should rest at
least four or five months of the year.
few species, however, break the natural
order of things and may be kept growing
indoors with fairly good results.
The cheerful little polypody Is always
pleasant to look upon. 1t is astonishing
how this rock-clinging species holds Its own
in any situation. 1t is especially attractive
grown in birch bark baskets accompanied
by herb robert, with it's happily contrasting
foliage.
AS an all-around fern the ebony spleen
wort (Asplenium platyneuron) takes prom
inent rank. My plant was taken from the
pine woods in July, and year later nao
not materially changed. The only notice.
able difference IL the loss OF one OF TWO
of the old fertile fronds and a. profuslon or
new sterile ones clustering about the pase.
The secret of success in this indoor cuiti-
walton is the stimulation of natural environ.
ment of the root growth. Thin bits OF
limestone or other rock must be placed
against the fern roots, and moss and earth
enough added to hold them in place rms
is the one imperative demand OF the EBONY
spleenwort. I have never taken up specl-
men whose roots were not resting on OF
against or tucked under a stone of some
sort, Aspleniums a rule are limestone
loving ferns. but the ebony spieenWort is
sometimes found on certain slate forma-
tons.
An unusually fine plant of the dainty
maidenhair spleenwort ysplenium tricho-
manes) has been growing for years like an
ordinary potted plant. The natural habi-
tat Is much the same as that of the ebony
spleenwort, but / have seen fine plants
luxuriating in deep leaf mold, which ac-
counts for the success of the specimen in
question.
The walking leaf (Camplosorus rhizophyl-
lus) prefers a rocky foothold, but grows re-
markedly well indoors with an apology of
mineral matter beneath its roots. 1t is an
exceptionally interesting fern because OF
its unique habit of growth. Spores are not
only waited hither and thither by htful
winds, but the long, taperfng fronds root
ing at the apices throw up other progress
sive plants. This is the tramp of the fern
family-the sole member of the group that
literally walks a crack in the rock. The
root growth of the walking leaf seems to
be a matter of circumstance, for the species
thriyes equally well in the outdoor world,
with much or little neither development.
For cultural purposes full-sized specimens
growing in thin moss are to be avoided;
they can be made to grow indoors or out
side, but it saves time to select plants from
earth-filied crevices or from thick sheets
often found on the top or at the base. of
rocks.
The staying qualities of the fronds are
unprecedented / have in mind one remark
ably fine specimen with adherent plantlets,
oil carefully taken up and properly placed
on the platter with moss New growth APP
peared, other fronds rooted at the aplces,
but the original fronds were in good condi-
ton for two years A few weeks only OF
this time were spent in the cellar for en-
forced rest.