| Ferns are found over much of the earth's | | | | covered with hairs or scales to help them retain |
| surface, in an astonishing variety of textures and | | | | precious moisture. There are even smaller aquatic |
| colors. There are over 10,000 identified varieties, | | | | ferns that grow on the surface ponds. Ferns have |
| approximately 200 appear in the United States, | | | | flourished on this planet for millions of years. |
| many more are being discovered every year. | | | | Today they can supply us with an exotic of |
| Asparagus fern is among the most popular ones, | | | | greenery with a minimum of care. |
| but it is not a fern at all. This plant is actually a | | | | Ferns occur only in areas where there will be |
| member of the lily family and produces seeds and | | | | enough water to help them complete their natural |
| flowers. In fact, the real fern plants will not | | | | life cycle. Ferns can grow not only in the ground |
| produce flowers or seeds, their reproductions is | | | | but also on other ferns, on rocks, on trees and |
| accomplished by means of spores. When these | | | | other places. Indoor ferns should be purchased |
| simple microscopic structures germinate, they | | | | from farms, local grower, or nurseries as they |
| form a green slime. This form reflects the fern's | | | | grow ferns specially for indoor purposes. Wild |
| evolution from a sea to a land environment. | | | | ferns directly form the woods rarely survive |
| United by a simple drop of water, a male and | | | | indoors. Always select the ferns that are |
| female spore will come together and form new | | | | developing new fronds, ferns with shriveled fronds |
| life. The fertilization is the start of a fern as we | | | | should be avoided, and beginners should avoid |
| know it. Unlike such spore-producing plants as | | | | ferns that are potted in planters smaller that four |
| mosses, algae, and fungi, ferns have long, thin | | | | inches, this ferns will require more care. |
| leaves called fronds. Ferns also have tissue | | | | If you are purchasing ferns for direct soil planting, |
| capable of conducting food and water. Since this | | | | the soil to be use should ensure enough moisture |
| tissue also provides support, ferns are able to | | | | aeration and nutrients, a combination of sterilized |
| grow taller than other spore- producers. In fact | | | | organic and inorganic matter is required to ensure |
| some tree fern can grow as tall as 80 feet. | | | | sufficient plant support. If the ferns grow on |
| Certain ferns have adapted to extreme conditions. | | | | trees, these could be planted in sphagnum moss |
| Alpine ferns have small, hard fronds which allow | | | | and wired to a peace of wood. |
| them to survive cold, dry winds. Desert ferns are | | | | |