Adiantum, or adiantum, is one of the most common ferns cultivated at home. The plant looks delicate and sophisticated, but in reality it is not. It is quite hardy and able to get used to the room atmosphere.
This type of fern has several other names: women's hair, maiden hair, adiant, lady's hair. Popularly called perennial fern. It has become widespread throughout the world. Prefers to settle near bodies of water or near humid places in regions with subtropical and temperate climates.
The plant is characterized by the presence of stems creeping along the ground with thin root processes covered with dark or red scales resembling pile. In this case, the roots penetrate vertically into the ground.
Depending on the plant variety, the long-petioled leaves may be opposite or alternate. Thanks to their dark color, the glossy petioles create a contrast with the green foliage. Their length in some cases exceeds the length of the leaf itself, which has an odd-pinnate structure with wedge-shaped, oval or fan-shaped segments. Some types have a smooth edge, while others are crenate or slotted.
The leaf blades are very thin and the color is bright green. The sori are located on the back side in the form of points, most often located along the edge of the vein.
Adiantum is one of the most common ferns cultivated at home.
Caring for Venus hair at home
The lacy greenery of ferns is worth the effort of creating for him. comfortable conditions. An ornamental deciduous crop, accustomed in nature to a certain level of lighting, soil and humidity, requires the implementation of certain rules for gardeners.
Lighting, temperature and humidity
Adiantum feels good in partial shade, preferring dim, diffused lighting, so the pot with the plant can be placed on a windowsill facing north. From the bright ones sun rays leaves die. In summer, it is recommended to take the fern out into the fresh air., but provided that it is protected from precipitation, drafts and open sun.
In summer, it is advisable to create an air temperature of 20-22 °C, and in winter not lower than 15 °C. The drier the air, the higher the temperature the plant can tolerate. In extremely cold temperatures, the leaves will die.
Since ferns love high humidity, in the room where the plant is located it should be at least 60%. IN winter time Humidity decreases due to heating, so the risk of leaves drying out increases. To avoid damage to the plant, it must be placed on a tray with wet gravel or expanded clay. A radiator located nearby should be covered with a wet sheet.
Gallery: maidenhair (25 photos)
How to plant adiantum (video)
Soil and flower pot
The soil should be acidic, breathable and rich in humus. To prepare the earthen mixture, you need to take equal parts of sand, peat, turf and leaf soil, cleared of coarse inclusions. Then add sphagnum or charcoal (pieces) to the resulting substrate.
Since the rhizome of the fern is superficial, to grow it it is necessary to use a wide container with a drainage layer at the bottom. Sprinkle special soil on top that has a slightly acidic reaction.
Watering and spraying
Since this perennial does not tolerate drought and dampness, it should be watered as the top layer of soil dries out. . It is recommended to use settled and warm water(room temperature). In this case, hardness does not matter much, but it is important that it does not contain chlorine. Daily spraying with a spray bottle ensures that the foliage remains clean and moist. In this case, the water must also be settled.
Adiantum feels good in partial shade, preferring dim, diffused lighting
Feeding the adiantum
The herbaceous plant does not take overdose well chemicals Therefore, it is recommended to fertilize from late spring to early autumn. Mineral fertilizers should be used once a month, and half the dose used for other domestic crops. Preparations must be lime-free. Fertilizer must be applied when watering.
Description of adiantum species
The genus Adiantum contains almost 200 herbaceous perennials. In nature, it settles in forests, rocky areas, along the banks of rivers and reservoirs. One of the most beautiful representatives of this family in home floriculture is considered to be Venus hair.
The soil should be acidic, breathable and rich in humus
Adiantum Venus hair
A. capillusveneris is a perennial that reaches a height of 30 cm. With the help of creeping scaly roots with tenacious rhizoids extending out, the flower is fixed to the soil. The leaves, called fronds, are up to 50 cm long, broadly oblong in shape, and are not wetted by water. The rod (rachis) is black, thin and hard, similar to a wire, from which light green wedge-shaped or fan-shaped segments up to 1 cm long extend.
Adiantum pink (delicate)
A. tenerum Swartz. The leaves are triple pinnate, reaching 70 cm in length and 50 cm in width. The fronds are wedge-shaped at the bottom edge and deeply and broadly lobed at the top, and the black glossy petioles are 30 centimeters long. The roots are short and creeping. This type belongs to decorative, grows well indoors.
Adiantum Venus hair
Adiantum stopiform
A. pedatum. beautiful bush with openwork spherical leaves, growing up to 60 cm. Curved stems with round pinnately dissected light green leaves form a horseshoe. Tolerates cold temperatures down to minus 35 °C.
Adiantum fine-haired
Adiantum Hispidulum. Fern with a creeping rhizome and dissected 25-centimeter leaves with diamond-shaped segments. Long, strong petioles (about 35 cm) are covered with small bristles. It is successful in home cultivation.
Why do the leaves of the adiantum dry out (video)
Adiantum beautiful (beautiful)
Adiantum formosum. A tall bush, reaching 1 m, with a fragile root system. The structure of the leaves is multipinnate and triangular-obovate. The color of the roots is purple-black and the leaves are dark green.
Adiantum wedge-shaped (Raddi)
A. raddianum. It is a very fragile and delicate highly decorative species that is afraid of direct sunlight and drafts. The plant is negatively affected by spraying with chemicals and moisture., therefore you should spray at a distance of 20 - 30 cm from it and use complex fertilizers.
Adiantum stopiform
Adiantum fragrans
Raddianum Fragrantissimum. Characterized by high growth rates. Capable of growing up to 50 cm and creating picturesque thickets. The leaves are curly, but not very densely placed on gray-brown petioles.
Adiantum transparent
A. diaphanum. On a plant with dark green or brown petioles, doubly pinnate leaves are formed, dissected along one edge, the wide segments of which do not exceed 3 cm. The total length of the frond reaches 25 cm. The shape of the leaf is pointed with oval or obovate segments with convex sporangia, placed along the outer edge.
Adiantum transparent
Methods of propagation of adiantum
There are several methods for breeding adiantum:
- dividing the bush;
- germination of spores;
- using seeds.
Reproduction by division used during spring transplantation. The rhizome must be carefully separated as it is very fragile. In the case of one growth point, this method cannot be used. The shoot must contain at least 2 buds. Then the plant should be planted in soil consisting of sand, peat, turf and leaf soil.
If selected method of using spores, you need to cut off the leaf blades with brown thickenings (soruses) and dry them in paper bags. After this, spores are removed from the open sori, for sowing of which it is necessary to prepare the soil by heating it over boiling water. After planting the spores, the container with soil should be covered and placed in a well-lit and warm place. After 3 - 4 weeks, sprouts will appear. The soil needs to be watered abundantly. After the fronds appear, the plant can be planted in separate pots.
At the beginning of spring they practice seed propagation. It is during this period that disputes mature. Fern seeds are stored for years. Since greenhouse conditions must be created for seed germination, this method is considered labor-intensive. Trays should be kept in a room with a temperature of up to 20°C, and also covered with glass or film to maintain the necessary humidity, while opening for ventilation. Usually after a month shoots appear. This means that the tray needs to be opened and placed in a lighted area. After some time, when the sprouts get stronger, you can thin them out, leaving the strongest specimens.
At the beginning of spring they are engaged in seed propagation of adiantum
Signs and superstitions associated with adiantum
Since ferns existed on earth long before the appearance of man, the plant is of interest. Numerous folk signs and superstitions that have survived to our time tell about what changes can occur in life when meeting it in nature or when breeding it at home.
Adiantum growing at home has a beneficial effect on all family members. Ferns have a calming ability, so it is especially useful for large families to have a plant in the house, since conflicts often develop as a result of large crowds of people. Thanks to the calming effect, a person’s mind is cleared, which promotes choice right decisions in any questions.
Another important feature of the fern is it is a magnet for financial flows. Those wishing to improve their financial situation are recommended to have an adiantum in their apartment. In addition to money, the miracle plant also attracts good luck. That is why gamblers love it so much. There is a legend that if you find a fern flower on the night of Ivan Kupala, any wish will come true.
Features of growing adiantum (video)
It is important to consider that positive energy comes only from a healthy plant. If the fern has changed appearance: the leaves have dried or fallen, which means it is necessary to restore its strength by taking good care of it. In order for the adiantum not to take away energy from people, It is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- place next to a TV or computer;
- do not place a flower pot in the bedroom;
- Make sure the foliage is fresh and green.
Adiantum, otherwise known as Lady's hair, is an exquisitely beautiful fern. Representatives of this family delight with their attractiveness. This flower is superior to its peers in that it is equated with the curly locks of the goddess of love. Loose green hair is attached to dark legs and sways gracefully at the slightest breeze.
It is necessary to take care of the adiantum diligently, just like you would care for your hair. It, like curls, is washed, fed, and cut. He doesn't need good lighting for good health, which distinguishes it from other house flowers. With proper care, the fern will delight you with lush greenery for a long time, and can decorate any corner of your apartment.
Adiantum - the most graceful fern
Adiantum is a specimen of multiple species of ferns. Under natural conditions you can encounter it in the most hidden corners of the tropical and subtropical montane forest. Venus hair has also conquered moderately soft habitats. It may also tolerate slight cold, but in frosty times the part that is above the ground dies.
Representatives of this species can be found:
- on the Crimean peninsula,
- in the north of the Caucasus,
- in the mountains of Africa,
- near the Mediterranean Sea,
- on the American continent,
- in European countries.
The flower loves mountain landscapes and shady and damp places. The fern does not need large quantities soil, it can grow even on rocky soil. It grows near waterfalls near the river bank, in rock crevices.
About two hundred years ago, adiantum settled in people's homes. Flower growers did not remain aloof from the beauty of its leaves (their names are waiami). But another problem appeared, because the flower is very responsive to air quality, he was unable to adapt to homes with stove heating.
For this reason, rich people who have greenhouses and winter gardens could afford to grow this flower. Soon central heating appeared and the air in the apartments improved significantly, and therefore adiantum could afford to grow all lovers of this species. But it appeared new problem- this is an excessively dry atmosphere in heated apartments, which is harmful to ferns. Currently there are different ways for air humidification.
Today, lovers of adiantum will be able to grow this plant without any problems. rare view fern. Since moist air, according to medical advice, is beneficial not only for flowers, but also for humans.
The name adiantum comes from Greek word adiant, translated (not to wet). There is an invisible film on the surface of the leaves of this flower, so drops of water flowing from them are not absorbed.
Features of Adiantum
Adiantum is the most exquisite indoor flower. The second name of the plant is Venus hair, it is typical only for this variety. There are other species that are no less attractive, but little known.
From typical fern with a rosette of elongated hanging arched leaves, the flower has a difference in the form of dark cuttings in a shape similar to a spiral. It is precisely because of the cuttings that plants are compared to curls. For what reason does only Venus have hair? Since this deity is the very personification of love and splendor, emerging from the depths of the sea.
Only she can wear such exquisite hair. Because curls-cuttings covered with wavy petals, very reminiscent of curly hair. Along the edge of each petal there is a sorus; this is a pocket in which fern seeds ripen.
There are some beliefs about how the Adiantum appeared. An attractive, young girl fell from a cliff. It was in that place that a waterfall formed, and the curls became like a fern. The next fable says that when Venus was cutting her hair, she dropped one curl, which got its name.
Appearance and important features plants:
- Adiantum is not a very tall fern, since its leaves do not reach a length of more than 40–60 centimeters.
- Fern grows quickly, during the spring-summer period, can double, take this ability into account when choosing permanent place growing a plant.
- Adiantum is a capricious flower and does not welcome moving from one place to another. If the woman's hair is subject to stress, then this is reflected in its vegetation, which loses its lushness and may dry out. We advise you to immediately choose a suitable place for him.
Healers of ancient centuries noted the similarity of fern leaves with curls and therefore recommend this plant for medicinal purposes for hair follicles. And the people of China use an infusion of leaves to treat alcoholic and tobacco addiction. Venus hair will push you to healthy image life. Since it is overly susceptible to contaminated oxygen. Does not tolerate tobacco or any other smoke.
Pampered fern vegetation will cause trouble for the florist. It is enough just to provide this flower familiar conditions for his habitation, and it will delight you with its lush green willow. The flower will decorate any corner of your home, at a time when other flowers do not want to live there.
The flower does not need additional lighting in winter, as it loves shaded places. Venus hair is perfect for growing on a stand, hanging, or on a windowsill.
Caring for adiantum at home
How to care for adiantum
The home flower adiantum does not tolerate scorching sunlight. When choosing a shady place, keep in mind that you need to place it near the northern or eastern windows, because from excessively dazzling lighting, the delicate patterned leaves of the fern die off.
Venus hair in the apartment loves fresh air, but he cannot stand chapping and dust, and therefore you will need to frequently wet clean the room, where this home flower resides, and refresh the air in the room. Smoking near the plant is prohibited, as well as carbon monoxide from the kitchen can ruin a flower.
Dry air is harmful to ferns:
The plant does not like when its habitat is changed, so try not to move the pot with adiantum. Spray the fern with warm water every day, especially during the hot season. During the cool season, it is not recommended to spray the plant, as this will harm it.
We recommend feeding the fern from April to September. For this liquid fertilizer is suitable for indoor or foliage and ornamental vegetation. Use half of the dosage indicated on the package, once every three weeks. There is no need to feed in winter.
Watering adiantum
Constantly moistening the soil will help to properly care for the plant, since its drying out will lead to drying out and death of the foliage. Important do not overdo it with watering, because the root system of the flower will rot.
To prevent poor-quality moisture, it is necessary to lower the flower pot into a container with water that has settled at room temperature. The peas should remain in the water until upper layer the soil in the pot will sparkle with water. Then The flower is placed in the sink to drain away unnecessary water., and return it to its place. In winter, you do not need to water the plant abundantly, but the rule of moisturizing remains the same. It is recommended to moisturize once a week in winter, and twice a week in summer.
Adiantum transplant
The flower prefers a spacious pot. Since it grows at a slow pace, it needs to be replanted once every two or three years. spring period when the roots of the flower begin to peek out from the drainage holes in the pot. For an outdated flower, it needs to be changed annually surface layer soil is five or seven centimeters thick.
The fern has massive roots, so it needs spacious pot made of wood or ceramics, unglazed in the inner part with rather large drainage holes. To transplant a plant, a massive layer of drainage base is laid out on the bottom of the pot.
The soil for adiantum needs to be loosened, sour and fertilized with humus. For this, peat with deciduous soil is suitable in a ratio of two to one. To do this, you need to sprinkle a small amount of substrate on the drainage layer and place the flower in a new pot and gradually add soil so that there is no soil in the pot. empty space. But at the same time, do not press the soil, as the flower loves loose soil.
Adiantum pests and diseases
The foliage of the plant contains substances harmful to insects, but despite this, harmful insects that are very resistant to poison harm the plant. For example: aphids, spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs.
In order to remove scale insects from affected leaves, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. To cure a fern from aphids it is necessary spray soap solution and then wash it off clean water. A necessary measure is to treat with a solution of Decis or Biotlin, Derris, Fitoverm, as well as Antitlin, Inta-vir, Actellik.
Antitlina and Fitoverm are suitable for combating mealybug together with insecticides such as Konfidor, Aktara or Confident, Mospilan. Fitoverm and Actellik are used against spider mites.
Often at a fern leaves dry out around the edges, turning brown. This is a problem of improper moistening or release of gas near the flower.
The problem of curled but not dried adiantum leaves lies in the extremely low air temperature, but at the same time increased humidity. If the leaves turn pale, this indicates that the plant must be moved to a darker place O. When the leaves of a flower fall off, this is a problem of low air humidity, so systematically moisten the fern.
Properties of adiantum
The composition of fern leaves includes triterpenoids, lipids, essential oil, steroids, phenalcorboxylic acid. The foliage of the plant is used for medicinal purposes; medicinal powders, syrups, and infusions are made from it, which are actively used by residents in Western Europe.
An aqueous extract from the plant is widely used as it has antimicrobial properties. A syrup and infusions are used as antipyretic and an expectorant. It is used for diseases of the liver, spleen, and bladder, as well as for the treatment of respiratory diseases.
Adiantum leaf juice is used in the form of lotions and compresses to treat malignant ulcers and bites from rabid animals. For the treatment of alcoholism in Chinese medicine juice from the plant is used. The juice is also used to rinse hair to get rid of dandruff. To do this, we recommend diluting fern juice with water and rinsing your hair with this solution. An alcohol infusion is used to treat psoriasis.
Adiantum is a perennial fern with unusually delicate fronds - this is the name given to the wide feathery leaves of these plants, as well as of palm trees. It is known that ferns are relict plants that formed huge thickets back in the time of dinosaurs. So, being next to one of their representatives, you can imagine that you have found yourself in that distant era in a “time machine”.
Adiantum: biological description
These small terrestrial ferns have a delicate rhizome that is covered with small scales. The leaves are pinnate, dissected, the leaflets are wedge-shaped. On their lower side, spores are formed, through which the plant reproduces. Of the many species in room conditions Not much is grown. Adiantum Venus hair can be found in natural conditions in the Crimea and the Caucasus.
This is one of the most beautiful ferns that tolerates temperatures well down to zero degrees, but in rooms it does not tolerate dry air very well in winter. The adiantum Rad-di, which comes from South America, will feel better. Breeders have developed a large number of varieties of this species that are well suited for growing in our homes.
Lighting
Adiantum – shade-loving plant, does not tolerate direct sunlight, which quickly burns delicate and thin leaves fern. The best place there will be partial shade for growth, so they are placed at some distance from the window.
Watering adiantum
In summer, watering the plant should be plentiful, without stagnation of water in the pot. In winter, watering is reduced, but the soil is not dried out. Overmoistening or drying out the soil in the pot leads to the inevitable death of the entire plant.
Temperature
Adiantum is a heat-loving plant. All year round temperature regime should be within 20-22 degrees, subject to high air humidity. If it is dry in the room, then the temperature should be within 16-20 degrees.
Top dressing
Adiantum is fed during active growth(spring-summer), once a month. Consumption rate mineral fertilizers reduce by 2 times so as not to overfeed the plant, otherwise the leaves will quickly wither. In the autumn-winter period it does not need fertilizing.
Adiantum propagation
When propagating adiantum, two methods are used: dividing the bush and germinating spores. The plant is propagated by division spring transplant. Use your hands to carefully separate the adiantum rhizomes. If the plant has one growth point, then it cannot be divided. Then a new plant is immediately planted in soil from a mixture of turf, leaf soil, peat and sand.
When propagating by spores, leaves with sori (thickenings) are cut off from the plant. Brown. The leaves are dried in paper bags. After drying, the sori open and spores spill out.
To sow spores, prepare the soil by heating it over boiling water. Then they put it in a tray, water it well and pour out the spores from the paper bag. Then the tray is covered with glass or film and put away in a warm, bright place. After 3-4 weeks, the spores will germinate, forming green shoots on the soil surface. Water them thoroughly so that fertilization occurs and small plants appear. When you notice fronds on the surface of the soil, you can plant the adiantum in individual pots.
Adiantum pests and diseases
The leaves turn yellow, dry out and die - the air is too dry. Spray the plants regularly.
Leaves curl - sudden temperature fluctuations.
Leaves wither - incorrect watering regime. Depending on the substrate, the soil should be slightly dried or watered.
There are burn marks on the leaves due to too bright lighting of the plants. They need to be moved to a shady place or shaded from bright light.
Plants suffer from insect pests in warm, dry air. The most common pest that irritates spider mite. aphid. Insects suck the juices from the petioles and leaves of the plant, as a result, the affected parts are deformed and the color of the leaves turns yellow. It is necessary to spray with insecticides - “Decis”, “Aktellik”, “Fitoverm”.
Absolutely all representatives of the fern family, without exception, are distinguished by their unusual, sophisticated beauty. But the most elegant and delicate of them is the adiantum (Venus hair).
It is no coincidence that this very fragile plant is compared to the beautiful hair of the goddess of love. Its green, delicate and very lush foliage, which is supported by elastic and thin petioles, sways beautifully with even slight air movement.
After reading the article, you will be able to find out more detailed information about the Venus hair plant: care at home, features of cultivation.
General information
Caring for the adiantum plant requires the same patience and diligence as caring for your hair. During the process of growing at home, it is nourished, moistened, cut and washed.
It should be noted that this variety of fern, compared to other indoor plants, It has important advantage- when grown indoors, it does not need a lot of light. The flower feels great in both partial shade and shade. Proper care This plant will allow you to enjoy patterned and lush greenery for many years, decorating even the dark corners of the house. There are many beautiful indoor plants. Venus hair is the most delicate and elegant among them.
Its name comes from the Greek a diant, which means “not to wet.” This is due to the fact that the surface of the plant’s leaves seems to be covered with a film - water does not linger on them, it immediately flows off.
A little history
More than 200 years ago, the Venus hair flower (photo presented in the article) settled in a person’s home. Florists immediately appreciated the elegance of the openwork leaves (their name is fronds). In those days, this plant, delicate and sensitive to air quality, could not adapt to simple huts with stove heating. Adiantum and other types of ferns were grown only in winter gardens and greenhouses of wealthy families.
Central heating improved the quality of the atmosphere in apartments, so these flowers began to decorate the most different houses. However, this was not without problems: the dry air of apartments with central heating. Today there are many ways to create the humidity necessary for a plant, so wonderful adiantum is bred at home without much hassle.
Places of growth
The Venus hair flower is the brightest representative of the numerous and beautiful family of ferns. Its habitat in the wild is the lower tiers of mountain forests (tropical and subtropical). However, today the adiantum has adapted to a mild temperate climate. It also tolerates light frosts, but in extreme cold its above-ground part dies off.
The plant grows in Crimea, the North Caucasus, in Central Asia, in the Mediterranean, in European countries, in the mountains of Africa and in America. Adiantum prefers mountainous areas, damp and shady places to a greater extent. It can also grow on rocky soil. Settles near waterfalls, on river banks and in rock crevices.
The favorite place is limestone soil near a source of moisture.
Varieties
In total, there are approximately 2,000 ferns in nature. Adiantum is recognized as the most exquisite. Some of its varieties are loved by gardeners for their original foliage. But the most popular among them is the adiantum venereal hair ( detailed description below).
Description of adiantum
Venus hair (see photo in the article) is a perennial herbaceous fern with a thin and curved rhizome, covered on the outside with brownish-black scales. The leaves are alternate and the petioles (length - 25 cm) are shiny, dark, covered with scales at the base.
The leaves are small, green, may have a tint gray. The plates are quite wide, smooth, dissected. There are trapezoidal, wedge-shaped and obovate shapes, located on the petiole in the form of a fan.
Among adiantums there are species cultivated in open ground. For example, the stop-shaped one presented above. Mostly Venus hair is grown in the rooms. However, in fairness it should be said that varieties such as the Ruddy adiantum, transparent and delicate, are also good for growing indoors.
Growing conditions
A representative of this variety grows well in partial shade, so the best place for it is the northern or eastern side of the room (a place in the back of the room or a window sill).
- The plant does not tolerate completely enclosed spaces, as it always needs fresh air.
- Doesn't like drafts. With them, the flower may die.
- Dust should not be allowed to accumulate in the room. You need to regularly clean with a damp cloth and ventilate the room more often.
In addition, this flower is detrimentally affected by the content in the air of any harmful substances. For example, he can’t even stand tobacco smoke, and it is also negatively affected by where it grows in the kitchen. Optimal room temperature for adiantum - no more than +22 degrees Celsius in summer and no lower than +15 in winter.
Soil requirements
The root of the plant is superficial, so a wide and shallow pot can be used for growing. The drainage layer should be thick enough. Ready soil for ferns can be purchased at the store, only you need to add a little chopped sphagnum moss and charcoal to it. Soil for home flower Venus hair will do nutritious, slightly acidic and porous. It should dry quickly and absorb water well.
Approximate composition of substrates:
- Add 2 parts of peat soil, one part each of humus and leaf soil, as well as 1/2 part sand.
- Mix leaf soil and peat (3 parts each), 2 parts turf soil, humus and sand (1 part each);
- Mix leaf soil (3 parts) with peat soil (2 parts), with humus and coarse sand (one part each);
- Equal shares of peat, coarse sand and turf soil are mixed;
- Pine bark, coconut fibers, leaf soil and humus are mixed in equal parts.
Care
Venus hair, like other varieties, requires certain care.
- The plant does not tolerate any movement very well, so the pot should always remain in one place.
- To improve the condition of the plant in summer, it must be actively (daily) sprayed. warm water.
- In winter the plant does not need water treatments, as they can have a detrimental effect on its development.
- In the spring-summer period, it is advisable to carry out scheduled fertilizing liquid fertilizers(reduce the concentration indicated in the instructions by 2 times). This should be done no more than once every 3 weeks. In winter, fertilizing is not needed.
Venus hair is a flower whose care includes pruning damaged and yellowed leaves. This must be done in the spring to make the plant tidy. This process also stimulates the appearance of new, young leaves. After removing the old greenery, the plant should be well watered and sprayed.
Watering
The main rule of watering is moderation and regularity. The plant has a negative attitude towards both waterlogging and overdrying. Therefore, you should water it little and often. In the spring-summer period - three times a week, in the fall - less often, and in winter - once every 7-10 days. Make sure that the top layer of soil dries out between waterings.
It should be remembered that Venus hair does not tolerate chlorinated water. It is best to use settled and filtered water.
Rest period
The resting time of the adiantum, as with all varieties of ferns, is not as pronounced as with others flowering plants. Its dormant period is from November to March, when growth only slows down. There is no need to carry out any special events at this time. You just need to remove the pot from heating devices, provide high humidity and diffused light, and protect it from drafts.
Watering should also be reduced (above in the article there is more detailed information about it).
There are references to this flower in the works of Pliny the Elder (ancient Roman writer). It says that the healers of those times, noticing the similarity of the plant’s foliage with curls, began to recommend it as a hair remedy.
In the Caucasus, even today, some people rinse their hair with infusions of the Venus hair plant. They believe that it makes their hair shine. In China, a decoction of the leaves of this flower is used in the treatment of tobacco and alcohol addiction.
The adiantum itself, as noted above, does not tolerate tobacco or any other smoke.
Legends
There are several legends about the origin of the plant. One of them says that at the place where the young girl fell from the cliff beautiful girl, a waterfall broke through. Her hair turned into fern.
According to another legend, the goddess of love Venus, cutting her hair, dropped a small strand from which the adiantum grew. Hence its name.
There are many different beliefs about the flowering of ferns. Our ancestors believed that the fern blooms magically: on the eve of the summer solstice (the holiday of Ivan Kupala), a fiery flower sprouts, so bright that it is impossible to even look at it. And it blooms in just a few seconds. Then it is torn off by an invisible force. But the person who plucks it first can gain power over everything. The ancestors could not understand how this plant reproduces. Therefore, similar legends about ferns with mysterious powers were born then.
However, science was able to debunk the secrets of the fern. Absolutely all adiantums never bloom. Nature has provided for them a mechanism of reproduction by spores. In this plant they form from spring to autumn (along the edges of the leaves or at their tips, in the sori). As they ripen, they acquire a brownish color. The spores are very small, similar to dust.
Finally
By creating the most suitable conditions for the Venus hair plant, indulging all its whims and habits, you can get wonderful emerald green patterned fronds.
This plant will decorate any corner of the house. It's even surprising that such delicate flower content with even partial shade in the depths of the room. Adiantum looks great both on the windowsill and in hanging planter, and on a stand.
Adiantum, or Venus hair, is a decorative fern that can be found not only in wildlife, but also in various greenhouses and botanical gardens. Also, lovers of indoor plants skillfully grow adiantum at home. In its natural environment, the plant prefers moist places with plenty of shade. On the territory of Russia it can only be found in the Caucasus.
At home, this plant serves as an excellent interior decoration. It creates wonderful compositions in tandem with other indoor plants. It is also often used when making bouquets. But there is one drawback: the leaves of the adiantum dry out very quickly after being cut.
Venus hair loves consistency. After purchasing a flower, you should immediately choose the place where it will grow. You should not constantly change its location. The height of Venus hair does not grow more than 40 centimeters. Special care it does not require it, but in some cases the leaves may turn yellow and dry out. Then the damaged leaves should be removed and the plant watered. You can also create greenhouse conditions for the flower by covering it with a bag.
The following types of adiantum are distinguished:
