Polystichum

The genus Polystichum includes 175 species of evergreen and deciduous ferns - herbaceous plants with short ascending (rarely creeping) scaly rhizomes. Polystichum aculeatum (Polystichum aculeatum) is a stable fern up to 1 m high, with glossy leathery light green two-pinnately dissected leaves with trapezoidal lobes covered with dark scales on the stems. The most interesting varieties are those that are more decorative than the original type. Multi-row sickle-shaped (P. falcatum) - a species characterized by glossy feathery dark green leaves. Due to the undemanding nature of the plant, it can be recommended primarily for growing at home. Multi-rowed munitum (P. munitum) is a stable species with pinnate erect wings of intense green color. Multi-row hardy hardening (P. rigens) is a poorly resistant species with leathery thin ovate - oblong two-pinnate pointed leaves, smooth on the upper side and covered with scales on the lower side. Multi-row bristle fern (P. setiferum) is a fern whose two-feathered leaves are initially covered with light scales. The variety 'Separately lobed' has large branches, two-feathered in the upper part and three-feathered-at the bottom. Tsussimense mulberry (R. tsussimense) is a low-resistant species with a strong short rhizome. Vayis have a shape from broad lanceolate to pointed ovate-oblong.

The genus Polystichum includes 175 species of evergreen and deciduous ferns - herbaceous plants with short ascending (rarely creeping) scaly rhizomes.

Polystichum aculeatum (Polystichum aculeatum) is a stable fern up to 1 m high, with glossy leathery light green two-pinnately dissected leaves with trapezoidal lobes covered with dark scales on the stems. The most interesting varieties are those that are more decorative than the original type.

Multi-row sickle-shaped (P. falcatum) - a species characterized by glossy feathery dark green leaves. Due to the undemanding nature of the plant, it can be recommended primarily for growing at home.

Multi-rowed munitum (P. munitum) is a stable species with pinnate erect wings of intense green color.

Multi-row hardy hardening (P. rigens) is a poorly resistant species with leathery thin ovate - oblong two-pinnate pointed leaves, smooth on the upper side and covered with scales on the lower side.

Multi-row bristle fern (P. setiferum) is a fern whose two-feathered leaves are initially covered with light scales. The variety 'Separately lobed' has large branches, two-feathered in the upper part and three-feathered-at the bottom. Tsussimense mulberry (R. tsussimense) is a low-resistant species with a strong short rhizome. Vayis have a shape from broad lanceolate to pointed ovate-oblong.

Cultivation

Polystichum is bred as an ornamental plant in the open ground, as well as in greenhouses, and some species as indoor plants. Planting on a permanent landing site in the open ground is carried out in autumn or spring, in a well-moistened area, but without stagnation of water. Plants are even recommended to be planted on bumps or mounds of earth. It is recommended to apply organic fertilizers (3-4 kg/m2) to the soil during planting, peat can be added (2 kg/m2). If necessary, add sand. The acidity of the soil is desirable in the range of pH 5.5-6.5. When growing in pots, a mixed substrate of earth, peat, leaf humus and sand is used, taken in equal parts, with the addition of 150 g of organic substances per bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15 g per bucket.

Polystichum is bred as an ornamental plant in the open ground, as well as in greenhouses, and some species as indoor plants. Planting on a permanent landing site in the open ground is carried out in autumn or spring, in a well-moistened area, but without stagnation of water. Plants are even recommended to be planted on bumps or mounds of earth. It is recommended to apply organic fertilizers (3-4 kg/m2) to the soil during planting, peat can be added (2 kg/m2). If necessary, add sand. The acidity of the soil is desirable in the range of pH 5.5-6.5. When growing in pots, a mixed substrate of earth, peat, leaf humus and sand is used, taken in equal parts, with the addition of 150 g of organic substances per bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15 g per bucket.

Location

All species of the genus Polystichum require a shaded area.

Temperature

Delicate indoor species cannot withstand temperatures below 15 °C. On average, the minimum temperature is 9-10 °C, and resistant species tolerate even very low temperatures (up to -32 °C).

Watering

Since polystichum likes humidity, during active vegetative growth and development, abundant watering is required. When growing in the open ground in autumn and winter, they are not watered, and when growing plants in pots, it is enough to constantly maintain the soil in a moist state.

Transplant

Transplanted in the spring, usually once every 2 years or less often, when the container is small, so that the roots are not crowded.

Care

Remove dried and damaged nails.

Reproduction

Propagate by dividing the rhizome, immediately transplanting the resulting parts directly into the ground. You can also use leaves that produce so-called brood buds. They are placed in a well-moistened soil, fixing to make it easier to root. You can also use spores contained in brown sacs on the underside of the leaves. They are separated and put on paper, poured out, sown on the surface of moistened earth. The container is closed with a transparent plastic film and kept at a temperature of 10 °C. As soon as the ground is covered with a green layer, the containers are opened, and when the seedlings grow to 8-10 cm, the plants are transplanted into new pots.

Propagate by dividing the rhizome, immediately transplanting the resulting parts directly into the ground. You can also use leaves that produce so-called brood buds. They are placed in a well-moistened soil, fixing to make it easier to root.

You can also use spores contained in brown sacs on the underside of the leaves. They are separated and put on paper, poured out, sown on the surface of moistened earth. The container is closed with a transparent plastic film and kept at a temperature of 10 °C. As soon as the ground is covered with a green layer, the containers are opened, and when the seedlings grow to 8-10 cm, the plants are transplanted into new pots.

Diseases

The most serious disease is caused by one of the fungi of the order Taphrina (Taphrina), as a result of which the leaves bend and rot. This can be prevented by carefully following the rules of cultivation. Instead of treatment, the affected leaves are removed, and then treated with appropriate systemic fungicides.