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Guide botanique

Maidenhair Fern.

Adiantum raddianum

Prononciation AY-dee-an-tum RAD-ee-an-um

Aussi appelée Delta Maidenhair, Delta Maidenhair-fern, Delta maidenhair fern, Fine Maidenhair Fern

Delta Maidenhair Fern
Photo de kiwialli (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The Fringed Maidenhair Fern is a delicate and beautiful fern, known for its lacy, fan-shaped fronds. It brings a touch of the tropics to any indoor space with its graceful appearance. This fern thrives in humid environments and prefers consistent moisture.

En un coup d'œil

Care level
Moderate
Plant type
Perennial fern
Light
Bright indirect light to partial shade
Indoor light
medium
Water
Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size
1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Growth rate
medium
Hardiness
USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time
Not applicable (fern)

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and provide high humidity to mimic its natural habitat. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch its delicate fronds. Good air circulation is also important to prevent fungal issues.

Watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, ensuring the pot drains well.
Feeding
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4 weeks during the growing season.
Pruning
Remove any dead or damaged fronds at the base as needed to maintain appearance.
Repotting
Repot every 1 to 2 years in spring when the plant becomes root-bound.
Soil
Rich, well-draining potting mix with organic matter
Soil pH
4.5 to 5.5
Temperature
18 to 24°C
Humidity
60 to 80%
Drought tolerance
low
Lifespan
Perennial
Deer and rabbits
moderate

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

  • Roots are growing out of the drainage holes.
  • The plant dries out very quickly after watering.
  • Growth appears stunted or slowed.
  • The soil seems to be breaking down or compacting excessively.

Sécurité

People
This plant is not known to be toxic to humans.
Pets
Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children
The delicate fronds pose no significant risk to children, but ingestion is not advised.
Edibility
This plant is not intended for consumption.

Comment l'identifier

  • Triangular fronds
  • Delicate, fan-shaped leaflets
  • Black, wiry stems
  • Finely toothed leaflet edges
  • Spore-producing structures on leaflet undersides
Height
0.3 to 0.6m
Spread
0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves
Green, evergreen

Problèmes courants

  • Spider Mites Tiny pests that thrive in dry conditions, causing stippling on fronds and fine webbing.
  • Bacterial Leaf Spot Causes water-soaked spots on fronds that enlarge and may have a yellow halo.
  • Fungal Leaf Spot Appears as small, circular spots on the fronds, which can be brown or black.
  • Frizzle Top Fronds become stunted, distorted, and brown, often due to inconsistent watering or low humidity.

La cultiver

Propagation
Division, Spores
When to plant
Spring, Summer
Overwintering
Indoors, maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Avoid placing near heat vents or drafty windows. Reduce fertilizer slightly during winter months if growth slows.
In containers
Grows very well in pots, especially hanging baskets or terrariums, as it helps maintain humidity. A pot at least 6 inches in diameter is recommended.

Division

  1. Gently remove the fern from its pot.
  2. Carefully tease apart the root ball into sections, ensuring each section has healthy roots and fronds.
  3. Repot each section into its own container with fresh potting mix.
  4. Water thoroughly and keep in a humid environment until established.

Spores

  1. Collect ripe spores from the underside of mature fronds.
  2. Sow spores thinly on the surface of a moist, sterile propagation medium in a closed container.
  3. Keep in a warm, dimly lit location and maintain high humidity.
  4. Prick out the young prothalli (small, heart-shaped structures) into a suitable potting mix once they develop.
  5. Grow on in a humid environment until the ferns are large enough to handle.

Pair this fern with other moisture-loving, shade-tolerant plants to create a lush, humid microclimate.

Bonnes associations

  • Orchids Orchids often share similar humidity and light requirements, creating a harmonious display in terrariums or shaded gardens.
  • Peperomia Peperomias generally prefer moderate to high humidity and indirect light, making them good companions for maidenhair ferns.
  • Fittonia Nerve plants thrive in high humidity and low light, conditions that also suit Adiantum raddianum.
  • Selaginella Spikemosses often require similar moist, shaded conditions and can complement the delicate texture of maidenhair ferns.

À éloigner de

  • Cacti Cacti require dry conditions and direct sunlight, which are detrimental to the moisture and shade-loving maidenhair fern.
  • Succulents Most succulents prefer well-draining soil and less humidity than Adiantum raddianum needs to thrive.

Espèces similaires

  • Delta Maidenhair Fern Similar in its need for high humidity and indirect light, but typically has broader, more angular fronds.
  • Southern Maidenhair Fern Another delicate fern that prefers moist, shaded conditions, though it may have finer leaflets.
  • Blackstem Maidenhair Fern Shares the need for consistent moisture and shade, but often has a more upright growth habit and darker stems.

Science

Family
Pteridaceae
Genus
Adiantum
Order
Polypodiales
Class
Polypodiopsida
Native range
Tropical Americas
Conservation
This species is not currently considered of conservation concern.

In its native habitat, this fern thrives in moist, shaded areas, often found on rocks or in the crotches of trees.

Uses
Ornamental

Au fil des saisons

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Flowering
Fruiting
Foliage

Repères écologiques

Salinity
1/9
Soil reaction
6/9
Light
3/9
Temperature
7/9
Moisture
7/9
Nutrients
4/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How often should I water Adiantum raddianum?
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
What kind of light does it need?
Bright, indirect light is ideal; avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the fronds.
How can I increase humidity for my fern?
Mist the fronds regularly, place the pot on a pebble tray with water, or grow it in a terrarium.
Why are my fern's fronds turning brown and crispy?
This is usually due to low humidity, inconsistent watering, or direct sunlight.
Can I fertilize this fern?
Yes, feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name 'Adiantum' comes from the Greek words 'a' (not) and 'diaino' (to wet), referring to the water-repellent nature of its leaves. 'Raddianum' honors the Italian botanist Giuseppe Raddi.

Bon à savoir

  • Maidenhair ferns are ancient plants, with ancestors dating back millions of years.
  • They prefer humid environments and can be sensitive to dry air.
  • The name 'Adiantum' comes from the Greek word for 'unwetted', referring to how water beads off the leaves.
  • This fern is a popular choice for terrariums and hanging baskets.

Ton maidenhair fern a mauvaise mine ?

Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

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Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.