The poor Sensitive Ferns are not liking the dry spell we have been going through lately. They are protesting by curling up. After the rain we got last night they should recover. That is the good thing about natives. They seem to take the worst of the weather and keep on growing even if they pout some.
Most of the other ferns in the garden are reacting to the droughty conditions by setting spores. The Ostrich ferns are setting their reproductive goals. The put up these spore covered wands that turn an interesing brown that you can use in flower arrangements.
The kangaroo paw fern is setting spores on the back side of its leaves. Many ferns use this method.
The Autumn fern is also setting spores. It is always facintating to me to find these unusual looking growths on the back of the fern fronds and to think that this is how they reproduce.
Are your ferns setting spores yet?
Most of the other ferns in the garden are reacting to the droughty conditions by setting spores. The Ostrich ferns are setting their reproductive goals. The put up these spore covered wands that turn an interesing brown that you can use in flower arrangements. 
The kangaroo paw fern is setting spores on the back side of its leaves. Many ferns use this method.
The Autumn fern is also setting spores. It is always facintating to me to find these unusual looking growths on the back of the fern fronds and to think that this is how they reproduce. 
Are your ferns setting spores yet? 
Hi Lisa, wow to all those spores. No wonder ours all have them with the lack of rain here. But the only ones that seem to make babies, by the thousands too, are the Japanese Painted Ferns. I would like some more Autumn ferns please, so spores, do your magic!
ReplyDeleteFrances
Hello there Lisa ! .. I didn't know way back when, that this was their reproductive issue .. I thought it was some kind of bug or disease ? LOL
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of ferns and have quite a few of them .. Lady-in-Red has sent out quite a few babies for which I am glad for .. now the Japanese ones are as well : )
Everyone should have a fern or two in the gardens !
You know so much about gardening! I love ferns but I can't keep one growing as a houseplant. maybe I'll have better luck in my new place (if I ever get there!)
ReplyDeleteDid your "I" arrive?
I promise not to pressure you or hunt you down to post it Sunday! Apparantly that bothered the last person :(
I hope to be blogging soon. take care!
Now I am curious and will have to go out and look to see if any of mine have spores. This has been a good year for ferns in my garden. Not only are the ones you gave me flourishing, but the Japanese ferns have probably doubled in size this year, and I have new little seedlings sprouting in a few places. I remember some expert on ferns on Martha Stewart one day--it seems to me he collected these spores and started new ferns that way.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa. Some of my ostrich ferns, make wonderful dry fertile leaves (think that's what they are called) to use in winter arrangements.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
We don't have ferns, but the day will come when we have shade and I shall fill the garden with them.
ReplyDeleteI love ferns! It was so great to see several baby-ferns recently. I think they grow from the seeds of the last year Boston fern in the hanging basket. I love the plants that take care of themselves. Thanks for the post Lisa!
ReplyDeleteLisa - I'm going to run out and look for spores. I keep promising myself I am going to learn to identify all the ferns around here. We have several types in the woods and along the road.
ReplyDeleteI have never noticed spores on my ferns, nor do my ferns seem to spread. I think I've got them pushed about as far as they can go on the dryness, and they probably figure what's the point?
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was home, she & my hubby surprised me with a bouquet of flowers from the market - the back of the ferns were full of spores, more than I have ever seen :-)
ReplyDeleteYes some are Lisa....like you I find them fascinating and have a wonderful collection. We have had dry weather but the ferns are surviving......a downpour on Tuesday perked everything up, so the ferns will be fine.....
ReplyDeleteInteresting post Lisa.....
Oh Lisa, the first time I saw fern spores, (let me add, way before I was a gardener) I thought they were some kind of a bug! ...and yes the Autumn Ferns are sporing up! gail
ReplyDeleteAt the coast there are ferns without number but here? Too dry.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Some of my ferns put up spore-fronds first this year. I may have one larger fern (a passalong, so I don't know what it is) that's about to send up a spore frond. I wish I had fern babies.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. Some of my ferns put up spore-fronds first this year. I may have one larger fern (a passalong, so I don't know what it is) that's about to send up a spore frond. I wish I had fern babies.
ReplyDeleteI will have to check mine, Lisa. All of your ferns look so healthy even with the dry spell. We have had rain again, so things here are perking up and I don'y have to water for a couple of days. :) The ferns you gave me are really growing-yeah! I have some small ones out front between the house and the sidewalk, but of course I don't remember the name. Will look at them too.
ReplyDeletemy sensitive ferns are pouting too. there's no rain in the forecast for days so I gave them a good long drink and sure enough they perked up.
ReplyDeleteirena
Lisa: I have just this year planted several different ferns in my garden and shall this a.m. goe out and check out the spores! The Japanese painted my favorite of garden ferns..but then
ReplyDeleteI'm just getting to appreciate the various kinds available!
You are the best *~*warrior*~*.. helping me fight..
with gratitude anna xo
Dear Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI have a few ferns and they are setting spores...even though it has been wet. I think the heat gets mine. NAtive plants are the best in my gardens too.
Another hot day here and rainy....
Sherry
Love the kangaroo paw. Wonder if it would grow here. I'll have to check it out. My ostrich ferns are setting spores but I'll have to look at the others as it's been dry for a few weeks here.
ReplyDeleteOoooh... how pretty, Lisa! I have fern envy--the only ones that seem to do okay here are thost sturdy Japanese painted ferns. Even my "Scaly Buckler Ferns," which were supposed to be fairly drought-tolerant, don't particularly like my well-drainged garden. :(
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your ferns! I hope the rain comes. I can send you a few gallons of the wet stuff if you want.
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa... must check my spores tomorrow! I'd guess we aren't near this stage in Scotland :-)
ReplyDeleteThe well known English Gardener Beth Chatto has a dry gravel bed where (as an experiment) she never waters. Her plants could dry up too. Her solution was not to give in and run for the watering can but instead to run for the pruners :-) Would that not work with your ferns too... cutting back the worst ones so the plant is forced to rejuvinate?
Just love your kangaroo paw fern... brilliant leaves! Have a great weekend. Our heavy rainfall was temp and we've had a few nice days... went on a garden visit :-D
How interesting! I noticed some on the Texas Maidenhair, but haven't looked on the Holly fern or Japanese Painted Fern, Lisa...sorry that you're also in need of rain and sure wish all those people who are getting too much up top in the NE could send it to the middle and the bottom!
ReplyDeleteAnnie at the Transplantable Rose
It has been rather dry all over the world it seems. Poor ferns but they will bounce back after some rain.
ReplyDeleteI have hardly any ferns as my garden is too sunny for them with hardly any shade whatsoever.
I have only a few ferns (weird, I know as they're supposed to multiply) and I love them. I'm getting more from my mom in a bit. I don't have much full-full shade but think they will do Ok anyway in part shade. Right?!
ReplyDelete