Common Name: Bird's Nest Fern, Spleenwort, ShuttlecockBotanical Name: Asplenium nidus
Plant Family: Aspleniaceae|
The Bird's Nest Fern, Asplenium nidus, is a tropical and sub-tropical plant which is native to the rain forests of Asia, Africa, India, Polynesia and Australia. In the wild, these largest of epiphytes live up in the crowns of trees. Their means of nourishment is from nutrients found in dust particles and rain which is collected in the plants deep, funnel-shaped rosette of leaves. The genus name Asplenium (Spleenwort) is derived from the Greek words 'a' meaning 'not', and 'splen', meaning 'spleen' and refers to the medicinal properties the plant is supposed to have. The specific epithet or species name 'nidus' means 'a nest', hence the common name Bird's Nest Fern. The Bird's Nest Fern belongs to the 'Aspleniaceae' family under the fern order 'Polypodiales'.
The leathery, tongue-like, glossy, pale green, wavy-edged fronds of this fern are borne in a tight rosette at the rhizome, forming a bowl-shaped clump with a fibrous center, which to many resembles a bird's nest, or at least a seemingly sheltered spot for a bird's nest. Each frond is entire or undivided and has a prominent, polished rib running down the center of the frond. The new fronds uncurl from the hairy, dark scaled crown of the rosette in typical fern manner. They are very soft and brittle when young and must not be handled. As the new fronds grow in, the older ones gradually die. Mature fronds can grow to 3 feet in length and 8 inches in width, and under ideal conditions, a plant can reach 4 to 6 feet in height, but, under normal home conditions the plant rarely exceeds 15 inches in height. The stems of each frond are stumpy and erect. Another commonly grown variety is Asplenium crispafolium, which has deeply ruffled fronds.
LIGHT
This fern must be grown in low to moderate, indirect light, such as that of a north window or lightly curtained east or west windows. The fern will grow successfully under 150 foot candles of artificial light. In direct sun, the fronds will scorch, and in deep shade, the plant will perish. Very pale colored fronds can be the direct result of too much sun or light.
TEMPERATURE
Provide warm temperatures for the fern, 60°F at night, and 70-80°F during the day. Fronds that turn yellow beginning at the base of the plant, or those that develop brown spots, are in most cases the result of the air being too warm. Even though this fern requires warm temperatures, it should in no way be located in front of hot air vents; nor should it be subjected to either hot or cold drafts.
WATERING
The potting media must be kept evenly moist at all times and never allowed to dry out. By providing the plant with a well-drained media, over-watering will not become a problem. A soggy soil will result in root and crown rot problems. Never allow the pot to sit in the excess drainage water. Water the plant from the top of the pot using tepid water and thoroughly soak the media (avoid getting the inner crown wet), and then do not water again until the surface of the media approaches dryness. In winter when the plant is dormant (resting period), or temperatures are on the cooler side, the plant should be watered more sparingly, but never allowed to dry out.
FERTILIZING THE PLANT
Providing the potting media has been prepared properly prior to planting the fern, the plant will only need to be fertilized twice during the growing season, once in early spring when growth resumes and once again in the summer. A good fertilizer for this fern is an organic fish emulsion fertilizer which has been diluted to one half the strength recommended by the manufacturer as labeled on the container. Over-fertilizing will result in frond tip and frond damage, as well as root damage of the plant. Ferns that have very pale colored fronds and very weak growth indicate a need for feeding.
HUMIDITY
If humid air can not be provided for this fern, problems will occur, it can not tolerate dry air. Humidity levels of 60% or higher should be maintained. Small Bird's Nest Fern plants are often grown in a terrarium where they thrive in the warm, humid environment. Increase levels of humidity around the plant by setting the pot on a pebble tray, filling pots with moist peat moss, setting out pans of water, grouping plants together, misting the plant, running small water fountains or installing a humidifier. If the fronds are turning yellow, developing brown tips, or there is no new growth, the most likely cause is dry air. Fronds that are dying back are usually the direct result of both dry air and dry media.
REPOTTING
Repot the fern, only if necessary, in a one size larger pot in spring. They do not require a very large pot because of their small root systems. A good soil mix consists of equal parts of packaged potting media, peat moss or leaf mold, and perlite or builder's sand. To each gallon of the above mix, 2 tablespoons of bonemeal should be added and thoroughly mixed in. Bonemeal is an excellent source of natural phosphorous which is needed by the plant for good root development ,as well as aiding in maintaining a neutral soil pH required by the plant.
PESTS
Insect pests most likely to attack Asplenium nidus are scale, aphids and mealybug. Careful monitoring of the plants leaves, especially on the under-sides, and regular dusting and washing of the leaves will keep these insects under control without having to resort to the use of pesticides. Washing them off, touching them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, or rubbing them off with a thumb-nail are means of control. Care must be taken when cleaning the leaves so as not to break off the brittle new fronds. Spore cases on the undersides of mature leaves should not be confused with scale insects. Keep the plant healthy and neat by cutting off dead fronds at any time of the year, and keep the base of the plant free from debris. Diseases to watch for include: anthracnose, blights, leaf blisters, leafspots and rusts.
Although the frond tips of the Bird's Nest Fern sometimes have a bit of a natural curl, severe curling of the fronds may be the result of cold drafts, over-watering, or too little heat. The Bird's Nest Fern thrives in warmth and humidity, like the typical conditions of those found in a tropical greenhouse.
