Growing tree ferns from spore : Cyathea vieillardii

[canadianplant]

I decided to take the plunge and finally try tree ferns from spore. Generally speaking the process is straight forward; Make sure that everything is sterile and keep it warm and moist, then wait. I know it isnt quite that simple, but that seems to be a consensus from what I can read.

The species I picked has very little information about it online. I guess its not known well in cultivation (my favorite plants to grow) and rare in general. Here is the RPS description:

"A dainty, slender tree fern that is found from low altitude to 1400 m (4600 ft.) in rain and montane forests in New Caledonia and Vanuatu. It produces a trunk with persistent leaf bases to about 4 m (13 ft.) tall which holds a spreading crown of short bi- or tripinnate, flat fronds with scaly stalks. "

http://rarepalmseeds.com/pix/CyaVie.shtml

I know some of us here have tried to grow tree ferns from spore with varying results, so Im wondering if anyone can give any pointers please. Also if anyone has good information on the species im trying I would appreciate a link or two....

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

Canadianplant, I've been growing tree ferns from spores for awhile now, with varying results as you said

I sowed the spores close to three years ago now, and the largest ferns (or blobs) are maybe half the size of a grain of rice. I haven't removed any of the lids yet, and out of the 8-10 species I started out with, 2 or 3 are still alive (Blechnum, maybe Cyathea, and Dicksonia sp.). They're in opaque containers. I put down maybe an inch of peat moss, and poured boiling water over it. Once the soil was at room temp I sprinkled down the spores, and put the lids on the containers. They seem to need a decent amount of light once they start sprouting. I'd take a photo of them, but all you'd see is a green mat. Good luck!

[canadianplant]

That seems to be the hardest part; waiting for the cycle to finish if it ever finishes. Guess you appreciate the plants more because you wait a few years for anything at all lol.

[Paul Ont]

Make sure that once you see the gametophytpes (the green blobs, look sort of like tiny liverworts) that you mist them with sterile water (boil water, let it cool and then mist them) to allow the actual sexual reproduction to occur (the spermatazoids need water to be able to move). This will lead to the formaiton of sporophytes... Depending on the species this can take a few weeks or months.

[canadianplant]

Thanks Paul...

Are you saying that keeping the pot in a baggie isnt enough and that they need "rain" or water movement to ensure reproduction?

[Paul Ont]

Yes! But you have to wait until they form the liverwort looking things, then giv them a good misting with a spray bottle!

[hardyjim]

The most difficult time is hardening them off(beside waiting 6 months for them to sprout)
as any dry air will finish them.

[canadianplant]

Perfect.... well see how it goes when I get them... Thanks