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Post by dvg on May 21, 2019 19:40:07 GMT
Here are some pics, from Feb, 2019, of the two pots of these ant fern sporelings, three months out from being sown: And a closer look at this liverwort-like lettuce. Mid March The mature inverted leaves are showing themselves in March, four months out from the sowing of the spores. The pot on the right is showing moss growth. That was likely because I didn't use clean, fresh unused ziplock bags. And also because these plants were watered with rain barrel water collected off the roof. This might have been avoided if i had found the clean ziplock bags that were around here and if cooled preboiled water had been used to spritz/ mist the sporelings. Guess i just wanted to see what would happen, accept the consequences and soldier on regardless of the obstacles. Back to these March pics again, some of the ferns are showing some good leaf growth. April 16, 2019: May 9, 2019 The one pot is quite mossy now, but some of the ant fern leaves there are growing up above the moss. Will have to see if an intervention.is necessary there. This 5" pot isn't looking too bad... Still haven't fertilized these yet, but might have to soon. But if not, these are very low maintenance, growing along with little attention needed, safe inside their sealed enclosures. These pots are misted liberally when the bags are opened to take photos. dvg
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Post by corky on May 21, 2019 21:35:51 GMT
Well documented, still need to collect some spores and have a go myself, I'm liking the lifecycle of ferns
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Post by dvg on May 21, 2019 23:55:11 GMT
Yes, they are interesting and this method is easy. I am going to give it another try, but this time with a cleaner process protocol in place. dvg
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Post by corky on May 22, 2019 16:40:13 GMT
Mistakes are good as long as you learn from them,well that's what I keep telling myself
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Post by dvg on May 22, 2019 17:47:54 GMT
Yes, and now we know what can happen when clean protocol procedures are ignored. And if clean containers and clean water misting (RO or preboiled) are used from the start, these moss or algal issues can be held at bay until the sporelings are well established... ...like Corky's. Well done Corky, you should give these a go. dvg
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Post by dvg on Jun 26, 2019 17:46:48 GMT
Was fortunate to receive another batch of these spores and proceeded to pot them up, but with some procedural differences followed than from my first attempt with these. This time, both the top layer of peat and the underlying media, we're both separately microwaved for over 7 minutes apiece. And the sealable bags were actually new and clean, this time around. Also, water was boiled, poured into a hand sprayer while still very hot, and squirted through the nozzle, in an attempt to sanitize it to some extent...at least the effort was put forth...it's not tissue culture! Hands were washed, and the sowing process was performed quickly to limit exposure to the room's air. All this above, is what might have occurred the first time, but I wanted to see what might happen, if clean protocols were not adhered to... ...well this is what resulted... The one pot has become overgrown with moss, the tops of antfern leaves rising above it. The other pot didn't have that type of moss overtake it, though. Was thinking of fertilizing these before, but am rethinking that now. -dvg
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Post by dvg on Aug 15, 2019 20:45:52 GMT
A further update on a pot of these... The rhizomes are more visible now as well. when they get a bit more mature, they take on a more scaly "Rice Crispies" look to them. dvg
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Post by fredg on Aug 17, 2019 17:49:38 GMT
Is there a housing shortlist for the ant colonies?
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Post by dvg on Aug 23, 2019 18:43:02 GMT
The ants haven't been having a field day of it here this summer, but still no need to subsidize their housing for them.
Last year we had 53 days above 25C from May through August and in an average year we have 40 days above that temperature in the same span.
This year, we've only been able to muster 20 days that warm.
dvg
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Post by dvg on Oct 2, 2019 0:01:38 GMT
Here is an update on that second batch of these spores that were started on June 19, of this year. They were sown in a 5" pot, but this time around, a cleaner protocol was adhered to. And here is an update on a pot from the original batch, sown on November 7, 2018, the day that I signed up here on this forum. A shot from above shows that these ant ferns have filled in this pot quite nicely now. And a close up of a couple of the rhizomes. These are still growing in their zip-lock bags and have been very low maintenance throughout this whole process. dvg
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Post by corky on Oct 2, 2019 19:08:30 GMT
Extremely lush looking group, nicely done 👍🏻
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Post by dvg on Nov 1, 2019 19:17:30 GMT
Thanks Corky.
Next week i am planning on separating a few of these ant ferns out from the main batch and will have to make up a new potting mix for them.
Just curious what mix you have your ant fern potted up in.
dvg
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Post by corky on Nov 1, 2019 23:08:02 GMT
My sinuosa was potted up in a mix of Leca (clay balls) and sphagnum moss, but seemed to grow mostly out of the pot. I have broke it up and planted sections in the top of some nep pots, they're not doing great ,I need to rethink
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Post by dvg on Nov 3, 2019 21:31:10 GMT
Yeah, they're epiphytes and want to crawl up out of that pot and up onto the side of the nearest handiest tree trunk. The spore supplier suggested a 1:2:3 mix ratio of coir:peat:perlite, when asked To fully reach overkill, he added, a bit of coarse orchid mix, including bark chips and LFS, can be thrown in, though he didn't find it necessary to aim for overkill, but some folks do. The aim should be to keep the mix fairly airy, he advised. I'll try a version of that mix with a few of these ant ferns and see how they do in it. dvg
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Post by corky on Nov 3, 2019 23:01:18 GMT
I shall have to make up a pot of a mix like you've suggested and try a couple of my rooted pieces to see how they do,don't know if I'll use the sphagnum as it grows over the rhizome which may not necessarily do any harm but I'd like to see it
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