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Small, Viv appropriate ferns?
#1
Hey, I'm looking for some advice on this, since I have a lot to learn about some types of plants.

I'd love to find a fern that stays small enough for my Zoo Med (NT-4) viv. Looks like a fern you would see in the woods (as opposed to some I've seen that have round leaves or look like moss etc.), and won't spread and take over (or would be easily kept in size with trimming. Will ferns stand up to being cut back and still look good? Could I plant it in a pot that would keep it growing slower without damage to the plant?

In looking around here, I see mention of Korean Rock Fern (Polystichum tsus-simense) that sounds and looks promising, can anyone fill me in on this or any other fern that would fit the bill?
Lisa
In central NY

R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' 2.3.0
R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' Froglets 8 and counting.
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#2
Most ferns are pretty delicate and demanding for our vivarium purposes. Some people report good luck with the Rabbits foot fern (get it ? Good luck), but seriously, they do.

The best way to acquire some ferns is to go to your local Green house or plant nursery and ask to see their selection of terrarium friendly plants. You could pot them inside the viv...I've heard of others doing that as well.

Huge plant growth worries or concerns ? Forgetaboutit. That's what they make shears for !

My philosophy on vivarium /terrarium plants is...and I may get crucified by the plant people for saying this....but....I plant whatever and wherever inside the viv and what takes, takes and what doesn't make it....dies. Broms too.
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#3
Hehehe, good luck Smile

Ah, for a local green house! Everywhere I've ever lived before here has had somewhere that carried "house plants" all year round. But here, it's summertime only, with outdoor stuff Sad Gonna have to be mail order or Home Depot/Lowes for my viv.

I hate to kill things, lol, so I would rather skip the fern, wasn't set on it anyway, but there are some others I have my eye on.
For now I have on hand, Fittonia, Philodendron, & Hoya. Have a spider plant, but don't think it will like the viv environment. I would like a brom or 2, but they would need to be relatively small (I read the article here about them and that was helpful in knowing size wise.) How big in my size viv (in my sig) before they look too big/cumbersome? Especially being up high. I know the Tincs don't use them, but I've always liked broms.

I thought that with the climbing types I have now, something more upright would help for a different look. Also, wouldn't a more upright one be good for seeing the frogs under, yet letting them feel safe?
Lisa
In central NY

R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' 2.3.0
R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' Froglets 8 and counting.
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#4
+1 For the rabbits foot. This one is incredible. It grows epipheticaly or planted. i even have great success right now with it in the bottom of a thirty vert that is pretty dark at the bottom. It travels up and across a vivs slowly and the the fronds are only maby 4 inches and look just like what you are wanting. Phil nailed it on the head. I think i got mine from NE herpetoculture.
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#5
Thanks Eric, I'll check them out. Then I'll know what to get if I decide to go with a fern!
Lisa
In central NY

R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' 2.3.0
R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' Froglets 8 and counting.
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#6
Here's A cool looking plant barn in Naples NY

http://www.violetbarn.com/miniature_houseplants.html

Here's a neat article too...

http://blog.syracuse.com/cny/2010/12/ga ... glass.html
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#7
Thanks for the links Phil, I'll check them out. I thought I had done every search there was looking for greenhouses. I think probably I didn't expand it enough distance wise.

Philsuma Wrote:Most ferns are pretty delicate and demanding for our vivarium purposes. Some people report good luck with the Rabbits foot fern (get it ? Good luck), but seriously, they do.

By delicate do you mean requirements, or are the frogs 'hard' on plants? Just curious so I can plan for sturdy plants if it is the later, since I'm getting larger frogs.

I see begonias frequently in vivs, are the compact, upright varieties a good choice?
Lisa
In central NY

R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' 2.3.0
R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' Froglets 8 and counting.
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#8
Not so much trample....delicate for watering, drainage, light, air movement. That type of thing. Our vivs tend to be less than accommodating for many different plants unless great design care is implemented (Orchids).
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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#9
Thanks for the clarification on that Phil. And for the links, can I ask how you did the search. I Googled greenhouse & tropical plants, don' remember what else.
Lisa
In central NY

R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' 2.3.0
R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' Froglets 8 and counting.
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#10
I just googled "Greenhouse, plant nursery, terrarium, Syracuse".....try googling with 2-3 of those words together and then seperate. I always do a half dozen different ways of googling for each topic I'm after.
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#11
I don't know whether you can get epiweb moss mix over there,but it does contain some cool fern spores that might take for you, polypodium vugare is a native here that might just be available over there aswell,that one has survived so far with me.The real key with ferns in vivs i think is damn good drainage. I have just been stumped by a fern un named that i bought 2 yrs ago.I'm absolutely kicking myself,i could have been propergating the hell out of it,but i was convinced it would just rot in a viv,so i threw it in the back of our recent auratus tank,which is mostly ferns,the damn thing is growing well and is utterly beautiful,ahh well back to the drawing board!!.Boston fern is another doer,i think i have seen pics of it in Cindy Deckin's tanks,again it puts out little runners but it might get to big,limiting available subs to it might combat this. There is a fantastically unusual fern that Mworks use Pyrrsoia pilosellloides leastways i think thats how its spelt...its taken me about 10 mins to copy that and i'm sure its still wrong but its such an unusual small fern its got to be worth finding
regards
Stu
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#12
My favorite fern is ET/Grub Fern, the foliage is awesome. Mine died back and then regrew after the plant acclimated to the conditions of the viv (something that I have been told is relatively common with ferns). If you just want one smaller fern I would strongly suggest getting it. I also have both white and black rabbits foot ferns and like them both. They will get burned if planted too close to lights, but other than that they have been really hardy. I prefer the darker, more compact foliage of the white rabbits foot, the black is leggier. I have lemon-button ferns in my 29, but it has only been set up for around a month, so I can't comment on longevity in the viv (though I have heard many good things about them). Another fern I have successfully used in vivs is Birds-nest fern. I really love the way they look, but they will easily outgrow your viv. It seems that many people haven't had very good luck using them though. Another to consider is harts-tongue fern. I have never used it, but I plan on getting some soon because they have been highly-recommended by friends that have used them (and they are really cool-looking).
-Field Smith
Some frogs...
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#13
Here is a cool fern cutting I got from Cindy at Vivarium Concepts. Its called a Radar Fern. The mother plant was about 8" x8".
Scott - North Dallas
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#14
fieldsmith Wrote:My favorite fern is ET/Grub Fern, the foliage is awesome. Mine died back and then regrew after the plant acclimated to the conditions of the viv (something that I have been told is relatively common with ferns). If you just want one smaller fern I would strongly suggest getting it. I also have both white and black rabbits foot ferns and like them both. They will get burned if planted too close to lights, but other than that they have been really hardy. I prefer the darker, more compact foliage of the white rabbits foot, the black is leggier. I have lemon-button ferns in my 29, but it has only been set up for around a month, so I can't comment on longevity in the viv (though I have heard many good things about them). Another fern I have successfully used in vivs is Birds-nest fern. I really love the way they look, but they will easily outgrow your viv. It seems that many people haven't had very good luck using them though. Another to consider is harts-tongue fern. I have never used it, but I plan on getting some soon because they have been highly-recommended by friends that have used them (and they are really cool-looking).
Also using hearts tongue, Field, that is Asplenium scolopendrium,i used to work in a fen nusery that delt in temperate ferns,we didn't actually breed anything there though,so since i have started with darts i have gone the whole hog,we are propergating various ferns from the spore stage,but they are being kept warm as close as i can get to dart conditons but in propergators as opposed to vivs,my hope is this will select for doers under viv conditions,,have a look for Polystichum polyblepharum,it gets quite big but if if can be contained by lack of subs,and will cope with the conditions,its a beauty.
Please note i don't see letters like others so my spelling of these latin words might be off abit
Stu
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#15
Hey Stu, that tassel fern is great. I wonder if I can find a source locally. I have been trying to do the same thing with my propogation tanks, at least get them close to viv conditions so the transfer well involve as little stress as possible. Off to find some Polystichum polyblepharum Smile
-Field Smith
Some frogs...
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#16
fieldsmith Wrote:Hey Stu, that tassel fern is great. I wonder if I can find a source locally. I have been trying to do the same thing with my propogation tanks, at least get them close to viv conditions so the transfer well involve as little stress as possible. Off to find some Polystichum polyblepharum Smile
Field this is embarasing because i struggle so much with the big words,but sometimes its the only way to be sure erm mate which is the tassle fern :lol: damn common names are so ambiguous but they suit me so well. Thats why i have tried me best to give you the latin,where i am able of course.Field check out that one i posted that Marcus and Graham use,see above,its unbelievable that it is a fern.I'll endevour to get some pics up shortly of what i'm waffling about with the propegation,as i think every dartster should have some gametophytes(i know another big word) on the go,it is so easy to do and gives one so many plants,and is such an unusual life cycle as far as the different stages go.As always there is abit of patience envolved,but for those of us not all about the instant fix,in this for the long haul,then its really worth playing with .Ha and damn its going to save some bucks and give your frog mates a plant or two into the bargin,which can't be a bad thing. I'll try and get some pics up shortly to ellucidate all this,bare with me
regards
Stu
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#17
Oh thanks guys, that is a great help, I'll check them out!
Lisa
In central NY

R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' 2.3.0
R. Imitator 'Cainarachi Valley' Froglets 8 and counting.
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#18
bumpo....
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".
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