There are over 10,000 species of known ferns, most are from the tropics but there are many native to quite cold areas.

Ferns like bright light but not direct sun. They need humidity and shelter from strong winds, although some species grow in fairly exposed places.

Ferns are divided into two groups:
Terrestial: ground growing.
Epiphytic: those that grow on trees, stumps and rocks for support.

Ferns gardens
Ferns thrive in groups so planting a variety of ferns in dense communities improves their growing conditions: spores generate more easily and the natural mulch layer builds up the soil.

A sheltered corner of a garden that is planted entirely with ferns can be just as attractive as flowers. Consider the texture, colour and heights.

If you choose to grow ferns in a bushhouse, cover it with laths or shadecloth that provides about 70-80 per cent shade.

Soil
The ideal soil is a well-drained loam with high organic matter content. Although ferns like moist conditions they will not tolerate heavy, waterlogged clays. Mulching with old manure, compost or decaying leaf litter improves growing conditions.

To grow ferns in pots, use a top quality potting mix or improve a standard mix by adding one third by volume of peat or peat substitute, or even sieved cow manure.

Watering
A thorough soaking is better than frequent light sprinklings. On hot, windy days, it may be necessary to mist ferns with water spray to humidify the atmosphere. Water less frequently in winter.

Potted ferns should be kept just moist but never allow water to remain in the saucer permanently so 20 minutes or so after watering empty any saucer. Heated rooms will be much too hot for potted ferns.

Fertilising
Fertilise from spring through to early autumn. A little often is better than applying large, strong doses of organic fertilisers such as seaweed extract, fish emulsion or liquid blood and bone.

Slow release granules are also convenient to use and are available in blends suitable for ferns.

Transplanting
Best to do so in warm weather when roots are in active growth. Don't move a fern in winter unless you can be sure of leaving the entire root mass undisturbed so that the fern does not feel I has been moved!

Pruning
Generally ferns need little or no pruning other than the removal of dead or dying fronds or simply cut back ferns with creeping stems.

Propagating
Division
Plant up any cut creeping stem that has some roots attached to it. The hare's foot fern is easily to grow like this.

Clumping ferns such as maidenhair can be divided by cutting through the clump with a sharp knife and pulling the sections apart. Some of the outer sections may die back but the fern will survive this and grow well.

Bulbils
Some ferns such as hen and chickens produce tiny plantlets on the fronds. Pin the old frond to the ground and the plantlets will develop roots which can be removed when well developed and planted elsewhere.

Spores
Spores are found on the undersides of mature fronds but raising ferns from spores is time consuming and difficult. Try placing a seedling tray of moist seed-raising mix under the leaves of the fern you want to propagate. Spores that do fall, may germinate if the seed-raising mix is kept moist. When the tiny plants are big enough to handle, prick them out and pot them up. The whole process may take a year or two and only a few ferns will survive.

Source:A Grower's Guide to Ferns, Palms and Climbers (Murdoch Books)