Davallian family. Homeland - China, Japan, Polynesia, Canary Islands. More than 40 species grow in nature.
As houseplants several species are grown, e.g. Davallia dissected Davallia dissecta or Davallia trichomanoides, Davallia Marisa Davallia mariesii, Davallia five-leaved Davallia pentaphylla - they are all epiphytic ferns with a thick rhizome spread across the surface substrate and covered with thick pubescence. In most species, wai are triangular in shape, pinnately dissected on long petioles. The people called this plant "Hare's legs."
Davallia is grown in tall flowerpots or hanging baskets and planters. In nature, most species grow high above the ground - right on tree trunks (in deep cracks in the bark), or at forks of fallen branches. The substrate for them is deciduous litter and litter. This fern also grows in crevices between rocks and stones.
Caring for Davallia
Temperature: in summer prefers a moderate temperature in the range of 20-26 ° C, does not like heat above 30 ° C. In winter, a cool content of about 15-16 ° C is desirable. Davallia can grow well at normal room temperature all year round, but in winter it needs to be protected from the hot air of the batteries and if the window is dark, turn on the illumination.
Lighting: from February to August you need bright diffused light with protection from direct sunlight from 12 to 15 hours. It can grow without shading only on the eastern and northwestern windows. On the south and west side, the plant suffers from heat and sun, it requires shading. In winter, you can put a pot even on the southern windowsill, until January - mid-February direct rays do not harm at all.
Watering: plentiful in summer, after drying the soil at the top of the pot. In winter, watering is moderate, after thoroughly drying the earth, but the soil should not dry into dust. It is desirable to use lime-free settled water for irrigation.
Fertilizer: fertilization for indoor deciduous plants from May to August every two to three weeks. Fertilizers are taken in a dose half as much as recommended by the manufacturer. Use only liquid fertilizers with water for irrigation.
Air humidity: Davallia does not tolerate only very dry air, below 30% - during these periods put the pot on a tray with wet pebbles. It is possible to spray only occasionally from a small sprayer, otherwise the ends of the wai will brown. Ideal humidity is about 50-55% - with such indicators of the hygrometer, it is not necessary to spray.
Transplant: Annually in the spring, only when the roots fill the entire pot. Pick up the soil with a slightly acidic reaction: 1 part of light turf, 2 part of sheet (or peat) land, 1 part of sphagnum moss and 1 part of small pebbles or gravel. The shape of the pot needs wide, but not deep. Davallia does not like too large and deep containers. Fluffy davallia rhizomes are not buried in the ground during transplantation - they are mostly superficial.
Reproduction: by dividing the rhizome, part of the bush at any time of the year, if light and warm enough. Just cut off a piece of shaggy "paw" with one green sprig, put it on the surface of a wide pot with prepared soil, press it with a pebble or paper clip, periodically moisten the soil. It will take root in a week, but it will not grow soon, davallia as a whole is growing lazily, not intensively.
