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Fine fronds
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Or, how to lend class to your space
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Maidenhair fern requires pampering.
OF THE Polypodiaceae family, the Adiantum or maidenhair fern is popular. It is so called because of its glossy black stems that resemble a young woman's hair. Its delicate beauty makes it an ideal plant to raise in pots, either indoors or outdoors, provided it is in the shade.
The plant requires pampering — sunlight should be avoided at all cost. The pot should be kept moist continuously. A leafy soil mix does wonders, encouraging the plant to become bushy. There are many varieties of this fern, whose leaves could be tiny or quite large. Tiny spores under the leaves enable constant reproduction in cool climates. As the fern has longish fronds, it looks more aesthetic if placed at a height. Propagation is done by division of roots, which is easily achieved if the roots are carefully separated with a clump of earth.
Here are the varieties of this species: A. Cuneatum - grows to 20 inches, A. hispidulum - has forked leaves, A. microphylla - grows to 24 inches, with lovely lacy fronds, easily the most attractive of this genus, A. seafoam - grows to 24 inches, with a lush appearance, A. tenerum wrightii - grows to 20 inches, with rare pale pinkish green fronds that mature to a dark green.
The plant can also be grown in a porous rock base to make an attractive picture in a shady verandah.
RUPA GOPAL
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