Read about Fern-Balls in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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Fern-Balls are the dried rhizomes of ferns, imported from Japan. Dealers often start them into growth, and sell them when the mass is well covered with its delicate vegetation. To start them into growth, the balls are drenched in a tub of water and then hung in a warmhouse, not in direct sunlight. When the plants are well started, gradually expose them to more light and to a copier air. Give liquid manure if they do not grow satisfactorily. The species are mostly Davallias, apparently D. bullala and D. Mariesii. Fern-balls (Davallia bullata) are of Japanese origin. They are natives of deep mossy forests (the mosses on trees as well as on the ground), with abundant humidity in the air, as in Kiso or some parts of Fukushima districts. Toward the end of every winter, an expert goes into these forests and gathers the vines of such ferns. They should be carefully kept in the bamboo baskets in which a large quantity of mosses are contained, which must be sprinkled with water on the way to the metropolis. The people outside of large towns or cities do not care much for this plant. When the plants arrive in the cities or towns, they fall into the hands of gardeners who make many shapes with the vines. This is done before any leaves appear. Then the balls or other shaped articles are hung from the ceiling beam quite near to its end but not exposed to rain or hot sunshine. The ferns should not be subjected to pouring rain or showers, although they like dew. They should have some sprinkling of cool water once every day after sunset. The plant dislikes dust or warm impure water. The best fertilizer is the extract of fish-meal or cake ("abura- kasunazumi"). Prices run from 20 cents to 50 cents United States money according to the shape of balls and general excellence. (Issa Tanimura.)
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References
- Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
External links
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