Plant Data Sheet: By Sarah Short
Maidenhair
Fern (Adiatum aleuticum)
Range
Climate, elevation
2-3
pinnate temperate, sea level to mid-montane. (2)
Local occurrence
Found in moist, shady sites throughout our region, especially on
wet cliffs, near waterfalls, and on stream-banks. (2)
Habitat preferences
Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Ground Cover. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil. (1)
Plant strategy type/ successional
stage
Information not available.
Associated species
Adiantum pendatum,
Adiantum subumilum, Adiantum anceps, Adiantum bellum, Adiantum capillus-veneris, Adiantum caudatum, Adiantum concinnum, Adiantum diaphanum.
(3)
May be collected as: (seed, layered, divisions,ect)
The
most satisfactory method of propagation is by spores, but division in spring or
autumn is also practicable. (3)
Collection restrictions or guidelines
Should not be removed from natural areas unless
they are a bona fide salvage sites.
(4)
Seed germination
Information not available.
Seed life
Short life, best if sown within a few hours of
collection. Can
be stored for 2-4 weeks. (5)
Recommended seed storage conditions
Store
in an airtight plastic container in the non-freezing compartment of a refrigerator
at about 40 degree F. (5)
Propagation recommendations
Relatively easy to produce from spores. Spores best sown as soon as ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep them humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position. (1)
Soil or medium requirements
Greenhouse maidenhair ferns may be planted in rockeries or grown in pots or hanging baskets in a mixture of one-half peat moss or leaf mold, one-quarter loamy topsoil, one-quarter coarse and or perlite, with scatterings of chopped charocoal and perhaps some dried cow manure added. Container must be well drained. (3)
Installation form
They
like shady conditions (3)
Recommended planting density
Information not available.
Care requirements after installed
Misting
on dry days does much to prevent desiccation of the foliage. (3)
Normal rate of growth or spread:
lifespan
This
deciduous fern grows 1-2 feet tall. (2)
Sources cited
(1) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Adiantum+pedatum
(2) Kruckeberg, Arthur R. 1982. Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific
Northwest: An
Illustrated Guide.
(3) Everett, Thomas H. 1980. The
Encyclopedia of Horticulture.
(4) Leigh, Michael. 1999. Grow Your Own Native Landscape.
University Press,
(5) Jones,
David L. 1987. Encyclopaedia of Ferns. Timber Press,