Bromeliad or Orchid collection is beautiful on its own. But mixed with several species of ferns, the collection will become more attractive and lush-looking.
Ferns have a different way of beautifying its surroundings because of its invariable shape and size. The leaves of some species are fine and Lacey. While others are leathery and strap-like or ribbon-like, still, others resemble the horn of a stag. Some fern leaves are reddish or brownish while others are yellow-green, pinkish and emerald-green in combination and others are variegated. Nowadays, collecting ferns is becoming a fad. Ferns never fail to enhance the interior or a drab part of a house. A fern plant or just its leaves completes a flower arrangement. It is every florist’s favorite for use as filler.
It is very easy to start and keep a collection of ferns. They do not need too much space. They can be hung in wire baskets, attached on drift woods, mounted on rocks; placed in wall pockets or put in between plants under benches.
Ferns thrive well under 50 to 70 percent shade. The scorching direct sunlight may kill a fern plant. Watering should be done daily or twice during hot summer days. The roots love to be moist always. Fertilizing is very minimal and it is only the nitrogen rich and the balance fertilizer needed to be applied once between one to three months at a very weak dosage of 1/2 teaspoon to a gallon of water can be propagated by dividing the root or cutting the rhizomes into several parts. Rhizomes are horizontal roots growing on or a little above the ground from these new plants grow out and can be separated at maturity.
Another way of propagating ferns is by rubbing a fern root below the surface of a fern leaf that shows maturity of its spores. The fern root will catch and trap the spores among its fibers. After rubbing, brush a small amount of slightly beaten egg white on the surface of the fern root. After a few weeks tiny growth will come out. Allow these to grow for another four to six weeks before transplanting.
Not all ferns are easy to grow. But the number of species is negligible. Among the easy ones are the Asplenium nidus or Bird’s nest ferns, the Platyserium or Stag horn, the Davallia or the Leather leaf fern, The Maiden’s hair, the Boston fern, the Rabbit’s foot and the Curly leaf fern. It is not encouraging to take care of the Golden fern a.k.a. The Bear’s paw because it is a highland fern that needs very low temperature.
The roots of the fern love to be moist. But it grows poorly in saggy or soaked media. Therefore, good drainage must be given and porous or fibrous media must be used. Ideal potting media are fern chips, coconut husks or fiber, coarse coir dust, tree barks and other dry organic products.
Insects infestation can be kept minimal if the fern plants are well-ventilated and planted in a clean, preferably sterilized media. But if there is an onset of heavy infestation, a mild spraying of insecticide at a dosage of 1/2 teaspoon to a gallon of water at the rate of three sprayings every three days. Do not spray during midday or when the temperature is hot. Drench the plants first before spraying insecticide.
Agricultural Biodiversity 
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