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Shiny fern
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The plant grows best in rock garden or among shrubs in shady borders
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ASPLENIUM OR spleen wort includes many species of evergreen epiphytic or terrestrial ferns.
Asplenium nidus commonly known as bird's nest fern is a large handsome tropical fern usually growing epiphytically but rooting well in pots or the ground. A nidus gets its common name `Bird's nest fern' from the fact that its shiny undivided fronds are arranged in an upward bowl shaped or shuttlecock-like rosette. These apple green, ovate entire glossy fronds may grow up to 1 m long and 6 cms wide. Each one has a dark brown central rib that narrows and fades to merge with the colour of the frond at the tip. The new fronds, which may unroll from a central spongy fibrous dark brown core, are delicate and easily damaged.
Asplenium is grown best in rock garden or among shrubs in shady borders. Provide bright light and moderate humidity. Give them moderate light all year long — as they should never be exposed to bright sunlight or dense shade. They grow well in a mixture of loam, coarse leaf mould, sharp sand and charcoal. Water sparingly. The fronds become deformed unless adequate humidity is maintained, and mist spray regularly. Apply mild liquid fertiliser to well established plants once a month during the active period only. This fern has dense roots. Because they tend to cling to the sides of the pot, it may be necessary to break the pot to remove the plant. Move them into bigger pots. Asplenium is practically and epiphyte and will grow extremely well in soillers compost. It is absolutely vital that the compost should be very well drained, as otherwise the plant may collapse.
It is also necessary to maintain a moist atmosphere around the leaves and this is done by standing the pot in larger containers containing peat moss. This will encourage the form to produce aerial roots, which seem to contribute more nourishment than do the terrestrial one. Bird's nest fern is widely distributed in the tropical regions of the world.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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