The fern is considered the most ancient representative of the flora of all the studied plants, and still surprises with its unusual appearance. The fern family includes various forms with original structure and properties. Microsorum (Microsorum) is far from the last place among its lush green congeners. Its leaves look wider and wavy with a lively shine on the surface of the plates. The above ground part of the fern is a thick, matted basket of leaves. The individuality of the plant is given by a peculiar crocodile pattern applied over the wai.
Few gardeners know about the existence of microorum, but the popularity of culture is gradually increasing. Fern pots create a cozy indoor atmosphere and are a wonderful natural decoration for dull rooms. Caring for microorum does not imply any difficulties for the owner. The seedlings grow quickly and require minimal attention.
Description of microorum
Having met microorum for the first time, lush and curly leaves are immediately striking. In terms of cultivation, the plant is undemanding. As they get older, the bushes become much more attractive. With the right care, they stay thick and shiny all year round. The fern will organically fit into any interior and add fresh colors to it. People call this variety "crocodiles", because on the surface of the leaves, a mesh of thin long veins is visible. The unique pattern outwardly resembles the skin of some of the most dangerous predators on the planet - crocodiles. Microsorum belongs to the millipede family. Natural plantings of the species are common in many parts of Southeast Asia and Australia.
Microsorum bushes grown in indoor conditions, as a rule, do not exceed half a meter in height and have a creeping rhizome. If there is not enough free space, the roots are taken out of the pot. The average length of the leaves is about 60 cm in mature shrubs. Wild species reach more than 1 m. Curtains are formed from sessile or petiolate plates of a simple or ellipsoidal shape. The fronds are dissected into large cirrus lobes. One share can have 3-5 segments.
Young leaves at an early stage of development resemble sorrel. Their structure is subject to change over time. The plates have dissection and spectacular openwork properties. The curtains are bumpy and uneven to the touch. The edges are also wavy. Often fronds curl at the top, giving the fern a unique charm.
On the seamy side, under the leaves, there are sori - the main reproductive organ in the form of reddish dots, which take place next to the central vein and are located in groups in one row. In sporangia, spores mature, which are sometimes used to reproduce ferns.
Distinguish between unicellular, as in most fungi and lower plants, and multicellular spores. The first part of the word is translated from Greek as "sowing" or "seed", and the second - "vessel" or "container".
Caring for microorum at home
Even a novice gardener can provide proper care for microorum at home. The plant is considered hardy and practically not capricious. However, air humidity plays an important role in development. With a lack of moisture, fern clumps are inhibited.
Location and lighting
Microsorum needs good lighting. To achieve normal growth and a healthy shrub, it is necessary to keep the leaves under diffused light. Experienced breeders say it is more convenient to place the pots on the windowsills on the east or west side of the building. In winter, additional lighting is installed next to the bushes, then the fern will retain its beauty.
Flower shops sell a variety of varieties that can grow in a semi-dark room. Before purchasing a plant, it is worth asking the seller about the degree of illumination that the culture needs in order to thrive.
Temperature
The microorum fern is a thermophilic plant. The air temperature in the room should not fall below 200C. A hot climate is less dangerous than a sudden cold snap. It is recommended to maintain the optimal temperature regime within 21-280C. If the soil in the pot is too cold, the roots can die, so the containers are placed on a special stand. Thanks to this, it will be possible to prevent hypothermia of the sowing soil. The bottom of the pot will then be protected from cold air entering the cracks between the sill and the window.
In summer, flowerpots with ferns are left indoors. Drafts that occur as a result of airing a room seriously threaten the health of the flower.
Watering
Along with other ferns, microorum prefers abundant watering. However, stagnant water near the roots provokes the development of rot. The signal for the next watering session in the summer months is the drying of the topsoil. Drought is not terrible for the root system, but watering should not be neglected. In the cold season, the liquid is added less often, only a few days after the formation of a dry crust on the substrate. For irrigation, they take necessarily settled, soft water, for example, rain or melt.
Air humidity
The fern genus in question grows successfully in ordinary flowerpots near the window. A site in wet florariums is suitable. Pot molds are regularly sprayed with a spray bottle. To increase the humidity in the room, place trays filled with pebbles or sphagnum, then add water to the bottom. The ideal option for preserving humidity would be to purchase special air humidifiers that maintain the required microclimate around the clock.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Top dressing is done only during the growing season, which lasts from April to the end of summer. Organic and complex fertilizers are applied twice a month. It is easy to get special nutritional formulas for ferns at the store.
The soil
Microsorum is planted in ready-made commercial soil or the required components of the substrate are mixed independently: leaf soil, sand and peat. The optimal proportion is 1: 1: 1 or 2: 1: 1. They take loose and light soil so that the air can freely reach the roots. Adding charcoal, moss or pine bark to the substrate will be beneficial. The pH of the seed should be 5.5-7.0.
Drainage material is poured into the bottom of the prepared container in a layer of 2-3 cm. Then a fern seedling is placed in the pot, trying not to damage the fragile roots. Otherwise, the bush will remain weak and lethargic for a long time. Transplanting is more successful in a transshipment way, when the plant is transferred along with an earthen clod. A pot with a flower is placed in a dark, humid place for a week, where the microorum will be at rest and adapt. If there is a desire, to create greenhouse conditions, the container is covered with a film cap.
Fern transplant
After the roots begin to grow strongly, they begin to transplant the microorum. The new pot is selected taking into account the size of the root system. The measures are repeated every two years as the bush increases in volume. A favorable phase is the period from February to March, then the fronds are rapidly increasing in mass.
The fern is planted in a low and wide pot. The plant does not take root in traditional flowerpots. An excellent solution is the choice in favor of a hanging basket, a flowerpot with legs or a decorative form.
Diseases and pests
All types of microorum are characterized by the presence of stable immunity to diseases. Insufficient air humidity impairs the development of culture. In addition, the danger is carried by scabbards. Parasites are able to move from neighboring flowers and infect fronds. If you neglect regular spraying, a spider mite will start on the leaves. You can remove pests by mechanical means, i.e. treatment of the ground part with chemical insecticides.
In order to prevent the flowerpots, it is recommended to place them in a room with high humidity. It is better to move diseased bushes away from healthy plants and immediately treat them with appropriate preparations.
There are situations when the fern is attacked by other equally dangerous insects: whiteflies, thrips and mealybugs.
The microorum flower looks painful if the rules of care have been violated, the leaves have not been sprayed for a long time, and the soil has not been watered for a long time. By the following signs, you can determine the cause of the oppression of the plant:
- Drying of the tips of the leaves occurs due to a lack of moisture and the complete drying of the earthen coma in the flowerpot.
- If there is a color change from green to yellow, it is better to place the fern pot away from bright light.
- The slowdown in growth occurs because direct rays constantly fall on the flowerpot.
- If there is low air humidity in the room, the leaf plates will begin to dry out at a speed.
- The fading and lethargy of the leaves, as well as the loss of an intense green color, indicate that the owner has gone too far with feeding or is using unsuitable formulations.
- The slow development and unattractive appearance of the bushes indicates a lack of natural light.
Microorum propagation methods
Microsorum is propagated by dividing the rhizome. Florists advise a similar procedure to be carried out simultaneously with a bush transplant, then the plant will suffer less. The resulting cuttings are ventilated in the fresh air until the sections of the cut are completely dry. To prevent infection, the bare places of the cuts are lubricated with charcoal. The planting of the cuttings is carried out in the same sequence as the adult bushes when they are transplanted.
There is another way of reproduction - growing microorum fern from spores. It takes a lot of effort to get healthy shoots. First, spores are collected from the leaves, the material is thoroughly dried and germinated on peat, providing a heating of the sowing container from below. Containers with spores are stored in a dark place with high air humidity.
Types of microorum with photo
The genus microorum includes about 50 different species. However, only 3 of them are suitable for a green corner at home.
Microsorum punctatum
The shortened rhizome spreads along the ground. Rigid leaf plates sit on small petioles. The narrow elliptical leaves form slender and lush clumps. They rise above the ground by about 30 cm and have a pronounced resemblance to sorrel.
Banana microsorum (Microsorum musifolium)
A popular species among gardeners and florists, which after a while releases long shoots. The clumps of mature shrubs reach about 1 m. Unusual leathery leaves have a net of veins on the surface, which makes the culture especially attractive.Due to the original design, the foliage of the described species resembles crocodile skin or shoots of a banana tree.
Microsorum diversifolium
Intensely colored leaves are cut into 3-5 segments. The ends of the plates are wavy and rounded. If you touch fresh foliage, a pleasant smell is felt.
Pterygoid microsorum (Microsorum pteropus)
It is used as a living decoration in aquariums. Low-growing bushes are placed on the bottom next to the back wall. The fronds feel great in the water and serve as a natural decorative element for filling the aquarium.
Microsorum scolopendria
This species belongs to the Phymatodes scolopendria family. Compared to other fern forms, its distribution is gradually decreasing. This is due to the fact that the structure and outline of the scolopendric microorum resembles more nephrolepsis, so many confuse the two plants with each other.
