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Maidenhair fern: Brown raised spots (underside) and some brown leaves
Emmawii
Posts: 3
I just bought this maidenhair fern and although it looks pretty healthy on the top of the leaves (besides some brown leaves), there's quite abit of brown raised spots on the underside of the leaves. The spots are white on the new leaves and then turn brown. They're all on the outer part of the leaves. 
Note: Due to the flash on camera, the pics show the spots as white but they're black.
The plant was pretty dry when I got it. It's in a self watering pot and there was no water in the outer pot and the soil was fairly dry. Is it just lack of water do you guys think? Or a sign they're ready to reproduce? I hope it's not some kind of pest...
Last edited: 13 May 2017 10:54:42
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I can't see the pic very well but sounds like the spore producing part of a fern. Look at sporangia and spores and images of those on maidenhair fern
In the sticks near Peterborough
I have the same on mine. I find these plants almost impossible to keep. Mine is looking less than tip top! I tried really hard with my current one. Read up on the conditions they like etc kept it watered Using rain water, sprayed the leaves etc. This one seemed to get a tiny insect infestation.
Any tips on keeping them looking good would be much appreciated!
Hey @Tootles,
I found that using hydrospikes are good for maidenhair ferns which thrive in moist but not wet environment. It's a watering tool that waters your plant through capillary action, keeping the soil moist all the time. I discovered it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCY7j3olaPc&t=518s
My maidenhair sits a few inches away from the window with no direct sunlight. So far, it has grown new fronds from using hydrospikes. Hope that helps.
The spots on the undersides of the fronds are the sporangia, where the spores are produced. Due to them being positioned around the very edges of the pinnae (leaflets) they look a little strange. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about at all.
Top tips to keep maidenhair ferns happy:
Keep moist at all times, but not water-logged. It's a fine line because they can't stand being too dry, yet the roots rot easily if it's too wet.
I have mine standing in a pot with about an inch of gravel in the bottom. I water twice a week averagely, filling the pot so the water comes about half an inch above the gravel. The gravel then remains moist all week without the plant pot standing in water all the time. This way humidity is kept high around the plant, which is also very important to maidenhair ferns.
Although humidity must be kept high, airflow must also be good, without the plant being exposed to cold draughts. I know - sounds very contradictory!
They like bright, filtered light. Direct sunlight is a no-no, so south-facing windowsills are out of the question.
Mine is on an east-facing windowsill, so only gets the morning light. If the window has to be opened on a day that's cool, the fern is moved.
For more information on fern cultivation take a look at the British Pteridological Society's website http://ebps.org.uk/
Hope this is of some help - sorry not to have spotted the thread earlier!
Best Wishes
pbff