Fern spore for sale.

Adiantum diaphanum

(Filmy Maidenhair Fern)

We have good fresh spore.

Each packet contains a generous amount of sieved spore (no trash included)

$12.00

 

 Sent by air mail anywhere in the world.

TRACKING:  Tracking is now available on spore shipments within Australia. This is covered by the postage cost of $1.50 per item in a prepaid envelope.

The ridiculous cost of Australia Post charges for overseas tracking ($17.70) for the same envelope/small package) is so high no one would be willing to pay it, especially on a $12 order) so there is no tracking on shipments to destinations outside of Australia. We will send a photo of the envelope with postage paid sticker on it when it is sent.

This is  spore – NOT living plants, see note  below.
NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE to buyers who say they did not know! Read all the details before ordering.

Do not order spore if you do not know how to germinate them. It is completely different from growing flowering plants from seed. Fern spore looks like a bit of dust and if it spreads across the packet it needs to be tapped back to the bottom. See instructions below.

Watch this video (The dark art of growing ferns from spore) to see how to grow ferns from spore –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okvz09DpL_w

Adiantum diaphanum

Adiantum (ad eeann tum) diaphanum (die aff a num); adiantum from the Greek adiantos, "notwetted", referring to the shiny fronds which shed water easily; diaphanum from the Latin diaphanus, "almost transparent", in reference to the fine filmy pinnules - hence the common name.

Adiantum diaphanum (Filmy Maidenhair Fern) is a common rainforest fern.  A small fern, it grows to a height of 30 cm but is often much smaller.  Terrestrial or lithophytic, it is found in rainforests on stream banks and on wet rock faces near waterfalls, usually in deep shade and in sheltered spots.  Adiantum diaphanum grows in tufts from ashort-creeping rhizome and develops into small clumps.  Small proliferous buds are produced on its roots.  It can be identified by its once-or twice-divided lamina; its thin, dark brown to black stipes; its tufted,pendulous fronds; and by its semi-membranous, dark green, diamond-shaped pinnules lobed on the outer margins.

To separate it quickly from the similar Adiantum hispidulum (his pid you lum), use a hand lens and check the under surfaces of the pinnules for scattered black setae(single-celled bristles). (Picture 8) Adiantum diaphanum has no white hairs as has Adiantum hispidulum.  Other ways to determine one from the other are:  new growth, texture, and frond division.  A. diaphanum never has pink orred new growth which is a delightful feature of A. hispidulum.  With regard to texture, the common names of these two species should say it all.  A. hispidulum (Rough Maidenhair Fern) has a heavier and rougher texture to the fronds and on the stipe than does the Filmy Maidenhair.  Looking at the frond division shows A. hispidulum with 2-3 pinnate fronds forming a hand-shaped (palmate) effect -hence its other common name, Five-finger Jack. A. diaphanum has a much simpler frond structure and is pinnate or divided at the base.

Adiantum diaphanum grows easily in a damp, shaded position.  Although it will grow in bright light if it is kept moist, it is happier in darker situations, and unlike most ferns, i twill happily grow tucked in under closely overhanging foliage.  It spreads prolifically by root buds and soon becomes a delightful ground cover.  

The new grow this a very pale (almost white) green which contrasts beautifully with the more mature dark green fronds. (Picture 7)

Filmy Maidenhair grows well in pots and like A. aethiopicum it is a good subject for a hanging basket.  As it is not as large as A. aethiopicum it does not need such a large container.

Information and images from Australian Tropical Plants DVD ROM

                                      Australian Tropical Plants Download version

Note: Sometimes the spore in the packet gets shaken to the edge and settles in the folds of the paper. It is a good idea to open the packet slowly (out of any breeze, or you could loose the lot) and while holding the edges of the packet upwards gently tap the paper on the outside with a pencil to shake the spore back into the centre fold.

Note: If you have never grown ferns from spore before it is suggested you research it carefully first. It is completely different from growing plants from seed. A good video is this one from Gardening Australia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okvz09DpL_w.
Study this and see if you are willing to give it a go.