Blechnum (Blechnum) is a perennial fern with spreading, wide stems, reminiscent of a low-growing palm tree. According to the botanical classification, the genus Blehnum belongs to the Debryannikov family. Thanks to this name, the plant is often referred to as "wilderness". Numerous fern species are found in the tropics and subtropics of Western Europe, Asia, and North America.
Gardeners are attracted by the rich, bright color of the bushes and the compact size. The plant will perfectly decorate a room or a winter garden. Despite the capriciousness of character and fastidiousness in living conditions, experienced breeders have learned how to breed blehnum at home. The culture is distinguished by exuberant growth and more than compensates for all the energy expended on cultivation.
Description of the plant blehnum
The bushes are formed from short, sturdy stems bearing dense foliage. The stems look like a transformed root. Over time, the root hardens and turns light brown. Mature shrubs reach about 50 cm in length. The root system is on the surface and grows rapidly, covering free space around. The fern rhizome plays a huge role in the general ecosystem of the forest and takes an active part in the formation of the upper peat layer.
Blehnum contains oblong, palm-like, feathery leaves. The length of one petiole, together with the foliage, does not exceed 1.5 m. The structure of the light green rosette is similar to palm trees. There are two groups of leaves: sterile and fertile. The fertile leaf is called frond. On the reverse side, there are brown streaks, inside which spores are hidden. Vayi are directed to the top. Unlike fertile foliage, sterile leaves are gentle to the touch. The ends are twisted in an arc.
Blehnum care at home
Caring for blechnum at home is not a burdensome task, however, to get a beautiful, slender plant, you need to spend a little time and effort.
Location and lighting
Fern prefers good lighting. Direct sun exposure on fronds should be avoided. Pots with bushes are placed in a slightly darkened corner.
Watering
The soil is always kept moist. In winter, the culture is watered less frequently than usual, but complete drying of the soil is undesirable for Blehnum.
Temperature
A favorable temperature for growing a fern is considered to be the interval from +18 to + 22 ° C. A dry, hot climate dries out foliage and stops crop growth. It is preferable to keep the plant in a quiet place, protected from drafts.
Air humidity
In winter, when dry air prevails in the apartment, containers are placed away from heating appliances.The moisture level is regulated using pallets of water or by hanging wet towels next to the leaves. Do not spray the fern, otherwise the ground part may rot.
Transfer
As soon as it becomes noticeable that there is not enough space for the roots, they begin to transplant into a larger pot. It is recommended to replant mature bushes at the beginning of spring. The substrate should have a neutral environment and a loose, nutritious structure. The ideal option would be a ready-made mixture of sheet soil, peat, humus and clean river sand.
Top dressing and fertilizers
During the spring-summer season, Blehnum is fed with mineral complexes, which are sold in gardening stores. Repeat feeding twice a month. Breathing with health, sprawling ferns do not feed so intensively, otherwise the fronds will begin to get sick.
Blehnum is grown as a stand alone plant or planted alongside other flower crops. In the summer, the pots with wildflowers are transferred to fresh air and placed next to artificial reservoirs, and in winter they are returned back to the room. If you follow careful care and do not forget about watering and feeding, the fern will be a real decoration for any home.
Diseases and pests
Diseases and insects rarely disturb the wilderness. Growth and developmental problems arise from improper care and inappropriate living conditions. Brown marks on the leaves indicate excessively hot air in the room.
When the ambient temperature rises above + 25 ° C, the growth turns yellow and grows with difficulty. Dry air does not allow the plant to fully develop. Yellow foliage can often be a sign of a lack of nutrients in the fern pot.
Reproduction of Blehnum
Blehnum propagation is carried out by dividing the rhizome. The event is scheduled for spring time. An adult bush is carefully dug out, the root is cut into two parts. Sections must be disinfected with crushed charcoal. The strips are immediately placed in the ground. After a couple of weeks, rooting occurs. Then young fronds gradually appear.
In addition to the method of division, the fern reproduces by spores. Spores are collected from a healthy leaf and stored in a dry place until spring arrives. In March, the spore material is distributed on a flat pallet, where the soil is previously poured. The substrate must be warmed up in advance and disinfected. For this, the nursery is placed on a heated surface. The soil is sprayed daily. In order to retain moisture, the pallet is covered with polyethylene. In order for the spores to take root faster, the sowing container is freed from the film and aired regularly.
While the spores are germinating, the pallet is stored in a dark place. In the future, the seedlings are thinned out, maintaining the interval between individual shoots at least 2.5 cm.The transplantation is started after one month. For this, peat pots are prepared.
Types and varieties of Blehnum with photos
Before purchasing a blehnum bush, it is better to find out which types of this fern are considered the most attractive. Indoors, as a rule, the following cultivated varieties are grown:
Blechnum humpbacked (Blechnum gibbum)
The height of this popular variety reaches about 50 cm. The color of petiolate leaves is green. They nestle tightly against the shortened stem. The foliage is belt-shaped and slightly elongated. The base, on the contrary, is thickened, and the ends of the leaves are sharp. The fronds of an adult plant lengthen up to 60 cm.
Blechnum brasiliense
This variety is characterized by olive leaves. Bushes are undersized, but spreading. The color of the young growth is pinkish. The stems originate from a small rosette located in the center of the bush. The fern looks pretty pretty.
Blechnum moorei
The origin of the species is associated with Australia. Wild bushes reach up to 30 cm. The ground part is presented in dark green tones. The petiole columns on which the leaves are held are almost black in color.Outside, the foliage is shiny and smooth. The fronds have curly ends.
Blechnum fluviatile
A spherical bush up to 30 cm high. Oval leaves look much wider than in previous varieties.
Blechnum occidentale
The length of dense lanceolate foliage is 50 cm. Large lobes are colored green. Blehnum western is successfully used as a folk remedy in the treatment of diseases associated with the genitourinary system.
Blechnum Silver Lady
Silver fern with lanceolate, narrow leaves. Lush bushes grow up to 50 cm in diameter.
Blechnum Penna-marina
A low-growing fern with straight, dense fronds. As they grow older, the rhizome spreads over the ground, so the bushes are periodically divided. The species under consideration is characterized by sterile foliage.
