Ferns reproduce from spores, a microscopic powder-like substance associated with the brown spots seen on the under surfaces of the fronds [1]. When the spores are ripe they will shed easily. To collect them, tap the frond over a clean envelope, or just cut a small piece of the frond and place it in the envelope. The spores should sit for a few days before sowing them.

The key to successful propagation is cleanliness. Avoid contamination from algae, fungi, moss and humidity to prevent desiccation of the developing cellular structures. Soak compressed peat Jiffy pots, available at most garden centers, in a pan of distilled water [2] until they expand, for approximately three hours. After the pots are fully expanded, place them on clean, flat dishes that have a small amount of distilled water on the bottom. Next, place the spores onto a clean, creased piece of paper, and carefully tap the spores onto the saturated surface of the Jiffy pot. Cover the pot with a clear plastic top [3] to create maximum humidity and place the container six-inches below fluorescent lights. The lights should be on for 16 hours a day.

After several weeks, look for the appearance of green blooms as evidence of the formation of the prothallus. Remove the cover from the dish, and begin misting the pot daily with distilled water, never allowing the surface to dry out. In time you will see tiny leaves appear [4]. When these leaves are approximately a half-inch in length, the plants can be separated and transplanted into smaller pots containing a soil-less medium. Water well and cover for a few days to ease the transplant shock.