Hemionitis

Family. Adianthaceae.

Origin. America, India.

Description. Hemionitis is an evergreen perennial herbaceous plant that bears little resemblance to a fern, but is one. In its natural environment it grows as an epiphyte, clinging to large trees with its roots. Hemionitis has dark green, spear-shaped or heart-shaped, glossy leaves 5 - 8 cm long, located on long, ribbed petioles. The leaf blades of some species are distinguished by intricate carved patterns and sparse pubescence. In adult specimens, short stems may form. Sporangia are located on the underside of the leaf blades, along the veins, and are orange or burgundy in color. The rhizomes are creeping, covered with scales.

Height. 20 - 40 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Warm content all year round at a temperature of 15 - 25° C. It is advisable to provide a daily temperature difference with a decrease at night.

Lighting

Does not tolerate direct sunlight and prefers partial shade. Can be successfully grown in shaded areas. It develops well under artificial illumination with fluorescent lamps.

Care

The main difficulty in growing is maintaining high air humidity. 

Substrate

Nutritious soil with a high content of organic matter in the form of peat, leaf humus and rotted manure.

Feeding

To grow this fern, monthly fertilizing with water-soluble fertilizers during the growing season is sufficient. In autumn, when the plant slows down its development, fertilizing can be stopped until spring.

Flowering time

Doesn't bloom.

Air humidity

Place the hemionitis pot on a tray with wet pebbles or use a room humidifier. Spray the leaves with room temperature water.

Soil moisture

Keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season, but drain excess moisture from the pan. In autumn, reduce the frequency of watering slightly, but the substrate should not dry out more than 3 cm in depth between waterings. For irrigation, it is advisable to use soft water. 

Transplant

Replanting is carried out in the spring, as needed. Adult ferns need to be replanted approximately every 2-3 years.

Reproduction

Propagated by rhizome cuttings, each part should have several leaves and a well-developed root system.

Pests and diseases

When air humidity is low, the edges of the leaves may dry out and turn brown. If there is insufficient drainage and moisture stagnation in the pan, rot may develop.

Among the pests, this fern can be attacked by aphids and mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites. When grown in open ground, the flower can be attacked by slugs and snails.