Pteris is a genus of ferns from the Pteris family. The name comes from the Greek word, which translates as "feathered".
Description of Pteris
Pteris has a ground rhizome, with soft roots covered with brown hairs. Under the ground is the stem, sometimes it is confused with the continuation of the roots. The leaves grow from the stem, but it seems that they appear directly from the ground.
The height of the bush is up to 2.5 m, and there are also more miniature forms that encircle rocks or rocky cliffs.
The leaves are large, delicate, bright green, there are variegated varieties.
Types and varieties of pteris
There are about 250 species of pteris. Despite the common structure for all and equally airy, elegant bushes, they can look quite diverse due to the difference in the shape and color of the leaves.
| Title | Description Leaves |
| Longleaf (Pteris longifolia) | Lush, evenly colored, dark green. Narrow and long, located opposite on a long petiole 40-50 cm in height. |
| Trembling (Pteris tremula) | The highest, up to 1 m. Rapidly growing. Fragile, but very beautiful, highly dissected, light green in color. |
| Cretan (Pteris cretica) | The most unpretentious variety - variegate "Alboleina", with wide lobes and the lightest color. Lanceolate, often contrasting, located on petioles up to 30 cm. |
| Tape (Pteris vittata) | They are arranged alternately on long (up to 1 m) petioles, resembling chopped ribbons. Soaring, tender, have a beautiful bend. |
| Multi-notched (Pteris multifida) | Reminds a grass bump. Unusual, double-pinnate, with narrow and long linear segments up to 40 cm in length and only 2 cm wide. |
| Xiphoid (Pteris ensiformis) | One of the most beautiful. Height 30 cm. Twice cirrus with rounded segments. Many varieties are variegated, with a bright middle. |
| Tricolor (Pteris Tricolor) | Homeland - Peninsula Malacca (Indochina). Cirrus, up to 60 cm, purple. Turn green with age. |
Pteris care at home
Caring for a plant will require compliance with a number of simple at home rules.
| Parameter | Spring | Summer | Autumn winter |
| The soil | Light, neutral or slightly acidic, ph from 6.6 to 7.2. | ||
| Location / Lighting | Western or eastern windows. Need bright light, but without direct sun. | It is advisable to take the plant out into the open air, keep it in partial shade. | Select the brightest place, or illuminate with lamps up to 10-14 hours. |
| Temperature | + 18 ... +24 ° С | With a lack of light, reduce to + 16-18 ° C. At night - up to +13 ° С. | |
| Humidity | 90 % | 60-80% if the temperature of the content is lowered. | |
| Watering | Regular, with drying of the topsoil. | If the temperature is around +15 ° C, watering should be limited, allowing the soil to dry by 1 cm. | |
| Spraying | 2 to 6 times a day. | At temperatures below +18 ° C - do not spray. | |
| Top dressing | Are absent. | 2 times a month, complex fertilizer for deciduous houseplants. Prepare the solution in half concentration from that indicated on the package. | Are absent. |
Transplant, soil, pot
Ferns are transplanted in the spring, but only if the roots are completely covered with an earthen lump. Pteris loves cramped containers. Wide and shallow dishes are preferred. Good drainage is required.
Difficulties, diseases, pests of pteris
Pteris will not cause problems if the necessary conditions are provided. Sensitively perceives the disadvantages of care. Often affected by scale insects and thrips, less commonly - aphids and mealybugs.
| Pest / Problem | Description and reasons | Methods of struggle |
| Shields | Brown plaques 1-2 mm. | Treat with Actellic (2 ml per 1 liter of water), repeat after 5-10 days. |
| Thrips | Strokes and dots on the underside of leaves. | Use Actellic in the same way, rinse with a stream of water, remove damaged leaves. |
| Aphid | Sticky, deformed leaves. Insects are small, translucent, 1-3 mm. | Spray the plant with a 3% solution of tobacco, ash, chlorophos. |
| Mealybug | White plaque on a plant, similar to cotton wool. | Cut and burn the affected parts, replace the topsoil in the pot. |
| Sluggish leaves | Excessive lighting. | Move the pot to a more suitable place. |
| Yellowed, twisted leaves, weak growth. | Too high temperature with insufficient moisture. | Reduce air temperature. |
| Brown spots. | Subcooling of soil or water for irrigation. | Water only with water, the temperature of which is above the air temperature by + 2 ... +7 ° С. Relocate to a warmer place. |
Pteris breeding
Perhaps spores or division of the rhizome during transplantation. In apartments, the second method of reproduction is preferred. Adult bushes are divided by the number of growth points, given that they do not necessarily correspond to the ground outlet from which the leaves grow. Slices sprinkled with crushed coal, delenki immediately planted.
The plant is not only decorative, but also medicinal. In folk medicine, Cretan or multiple species are used. A decoction from any part of the plant is used for urological, infectious, skin diseases, poisoning and inflammation. A doctor’s consultation is required before use.
