Sickle Spleenwort

Spores

Spore propagation is the primary and most natural method for growing Sickle Spleenwort, requiring patience and careful attention to environmental conditions but offering the satisfaction of growing this elegant native fern from its natural reproductive cycle. This distinctive species, characterized by its arching, sickle-shaped fronds, produces fertile spores in linear sori arranged along the veins on the undersides of mature fronds. The optimal timing for spore collection is during late summer to autumn when the sori have matured from green to dark brown, indicating full spore development. Monitor established plants carefully throughout the growing season, as spore production can vary significantly between individuals and environmental conditions. To collect spores, select healthy, mature fronds with clearly visible dark brown sori and cut them carefully with clean, sharp scissors. Place the cut fronds in clean paper envelopes or bags and store in a warm, dry location for 3-5 days to allow natural spore release. The released spores appear as fine, dust-like particles that should be sown immediately for optimal germination rates. Prepare a sterile growing medium using equal parts finely chopped sphagnum moss, peat moss, and perlite, sterilizing the mixture with boiling water and allowing it to cool completely. Sow spores thinly on the moist surface and cover containers with glass or clear plastic to maintain the high humidity levels essential for successful germination. Maintain consistent temperatures around 20-22°C with bright, indirect light, ensuring the growing medium remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination typically occurs within 6-12 weeks under optimal conditions, though some spores may take longer to develop into the initial prothallus stage. The young sporophytes gradually develop over several months, eventually forming the characteristic sickle-shaped fronds that give this species its common name. Transplant young ferns when they reach 3-5cm in height into individual containers with a humus-rich, well-draining growing medium suitable for fern cultivation.

Division

Division offers a more reliable alternative to spore propagation for Sickle Spleenwort, particularly effective when working with established clumps that have developed multiple crowns through natural rhizome expansion. This method provides faster results than spore propagation and ensures that new plants maintain the exact characteristics of the parent specimen. The optimal timing for division is during late winter to early spring when the plant is emerging from dormancy, allowing divided sections to establish quickly as growing conditions improve. Begin by carefully lifting the entire clump using a garden fork, working slowly around the perimeter to avoid damaging the delicate root system and the emerging fiddleheads. Sickle Spleenwort typically develops a relatively compact rhizome system compared to some other fern species, requiring extra care during extraction and handling. Once lifted, gently shake away excess soil to expose the rhizome structure and identify natural division points where separate crowns or growing points have developed. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut through connecting rhizomes, ensuring each division includes both healthy roots and at least one active growing point with visible fronds or emerging shoots. The divisions may be smaller than those of more vigorous fern species, but Sickle Spleenwort establishes well from modest-sized divisions provided adequate care is given during establishment. Replant divisions immediately in prepared soil that replicates forest understory conditions, using a mixture of leaf mold, compost, and well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Choose locations with consistent shade and protection from direct sunlight, as this species naturally occurs in shaded forest environments where it receives filtered light. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the establishment period, typically 8-12 weeks during favorable growing conditions. This method is particularly valuable for gardeners who want to multiply existing plants or for creating plantings where the distinctive arching growth habit can be appreciated in shaded garden areas or naturalistic forest plantings.

Tissue Culture

Tissue culture represents an advanced propagation technique for Sickle Spleenwort, primarily used in commercial nursery production or specialized conservation programs where large numbers of genetically identical plants are required. This method involves growing new plants from small tissue samples taken from healthy parent specimens under sterile laboratory conditions, allowing for rapid multiplication without the extended timeframes associated with spore propagation or the limitations of division. The process begins with the collection of sterile tissue samples, typically young frond segments or growing tips, which are surface-sterilized and placed on nutrient-rich agar media in sterile containers. Under controlled conditions with specific light regimes, temperature control, and nutrient supplementation, these tissue samples develop into complete plantlets over a period of several months. The major advantage of tissue culture is the ability to produce large numbers of plants from minimal parent material while maintaining genetic uniformity, making it particularly valuable for conservation efforts or commercial production of superior forms. However, this method requires specialized equipment, sterile techniques, and considerable expertise, making it impractical for most home gardeners. The process involves multiple stages, including initial establishment, multiplication, rooting, and acclimatization, each requiring specific environmental conditions and media formulations. Successfully tissue-cultured plants must be gradually acclimatized to ambient conditions through a careful hardening-off process before they can be transplanted to standard growing media. While tissue culture offers significant advantages for specialized applications, most gardeners will find spore propagation or division more practical and accessible methods for growing Sickle Spleenwort. This technique is primarily mentioned for completeness and to acknowledge the commercial production methods that may be used for nursery-grown specimens available to home gardeners.

By Division

Mature clumps can occasionally be divided, though this should be done carefully to avoid damage.

1. Carefully lift established clumps in spring
2. Use a sharp, clean knife to separate rhizomes
3. Ensure each division has healthy roots and fronds
4. Plant divisions immediately in suitable growing medium
5. Maintain consistent moisture until well established