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The Giant chain fern has potential to be a truly spectacular species. It can reach a height of 2m, though I have never seen one that even approached that size.
It comes from the rain forests of British Columbia where the humidity promotes lushness. My plant suffers from dry air and wind damage. I have a second plant in a pot in the greenhouse to see
if I can grow a monster with a bit of protection. I struggle to keep it alive. The only plant that has prospered here was in a pot that was abandoned behind the greenhouse by mistake. It grew really well and then turned out to be Polystichum munitum mis-identified. Sue Olsen says: "The giant chain fern is a coastal species located in moist coniferous woodlands from a few rare stations in British Columbia down through Southern California. It is especially common and impressive in the redwood forests of Clifornia. Where suited this is en extremely showy specimen well deserving of a prominent place in the landscape. Propagation is by spores and somewhat challenging and erratic. Spores harvested in spring or especially after a frost give better germination and even then usually produce only a lean crop." |
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| 12th September 2006 | ||
