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Asplenium Antiquum – 7 Caring tips & Propagation Guide

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The Asplenium Antiquum is a fern that originates from China, Japan, Madagascar, Taiwan, Hawaii, and Australia, where it grows as an epiphytic fern (it is mostly found in tropical regions). The plant belongs to the family of Aspleniaceae and is also known as Birds Nest.

The green color of the fern adds a refreshing new look to any house it is planted in. So, this plant would be an excellent pick for those of you who are looking to revamp your gardens.

Asplenium Antiquum 1
Asplenium Antiquum – via Etsy

The main characteristics of the Asplenium Antiquum plant

Growth & Size

Asplenium Antiquum is pretty compact in size- hence making it easier for gardeners to install it indoors. The plant grows to a maximum height of around 80 to 90 cm and a spread of around 45 cm. This means that, on average, these plants have a slower growth rate as compared to other plants.

Leaves

A healthy-looking Asplenium Antiquum is green. They are arched-shaped and have pointed endings. The length of the leaf is approximately 7 to 8 cm, and the plant’s leaves spread such that it looks like a nest from the center, which is why it is called Birds Nest. 

Bloom

The plant belongs to the category of ferns, and usually, ferns do not produce flowers. The Asplenium Antiquum is no exception to this rule.

Diseases  

As the plant belongs to a tropical region, it is prone to get attacked by diseases. The disease can be extremely damaging to the plant; therefore, keeping the plant in a place that is shaded and has good air circulation is recommended.

If a disease attacks the plant, the leaves can turn brown. If the plant catches any disease, the leaves can be chopped off to avoid spreading.

Asplenium Antiquum 2
Asplenium Antiquum – via Etsy

How to take care of an Asplenium Antiquum plant

Watering

You have to understand the needs of your Asplenium Antiquum plant if you want to grow it to health. The Asplenium Antiquum is a tropical plant, and it needs high amounts of water to grow properly. You should water your plant just enough to keep its soil moist all the time.

We recommend that you water your plant every few days (depending on how quickly the soil dries out) and that you increase the frequency of watering during the summer season.

Be cautious, though; overwatering can damage the plant. To ensure moisture, you can put your fingers in the soil. If the soil is moist, you should wait to water your plant again.

Do not water your plant in the center, as it can increase the chance of rotting roots from the center of the plant.

Soil

If you want your Asplenium Antiquum to grow healthy, you must plant it in soil with good drainage. Having poor drainage can result in waterlogged soil, which will create difficulty in the plant’s growth.

Since this plant cannot survive in soggy soil, holes can be made to aid drainage. You can also add sand, pebbles, and grit into the soil, which is good for the roots.

Temperature

Asplenium Antiquum matures well in warm temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. They can grow even when temperatures drop a little bit. However, you must exercise caution; extremely high temperatures can increase the chances of infectious attacks and diseases.

Lighting

Since this plant is found in tropical areas (where there is shade and no direct exposure to the sun), it is well-adapted to receiving indirect sunlight of low intensity. Do not place your plant under the direct sun, though; bright sunlight can damage the plant’s green leaves.

To expose your plant to the correct intensity of sunlight, we recommend placing it near a large window with a thin, light-permeable curtain.

Humidity

Low humidity is generally not good for plants, especially for plants that are grown in tropical areas. So, it is not surprising to find that the Asplenium Antiquum plants need high humidity to grow optimally. These plants can survive in any place that has above 50% humidity level.

However, that doesn’t mean that it cannot be grown in a house. If provided with humidifiers, they can even survive there as well.

Pruning

The Asplenium Antiquum is a plant with a decent height; over time, you will find a branch or two protruding out and ruining its tidiness. To tame the plant, occasional pruning may be needed. It is also important to prune your plant if you notice any dead stems or leaves, as they can hinder your plant’s growth.

Fertilizers

Fertilizers can be used occasionally to boost your plant’s growth. For Asplenium Antiquum, you must fertilize them in the spring and autumn seasons once a month. Liquid fertilizer can be used to meet your plant’s nutritional needs.

The Asplenium Antiquum– a guide to its propagation

Unlike other plants, Asplenium Antiquum cannot be propagated by the stem cutting method. To propagate your Asplenium Antiquum, you can use the following method of propagation: Propagation by spores

Propagation by Spores:

Here is what you need to do:

  1. You will need to find the spores within the plants which are underneath the ferns.
  2. If you want to gather the Asplenium Antiquum’s spore, you will first have to cut a fern and put it in a paper bag.
  3.  After that, you need to add the soil to the pot and place the spores on it.
  4. Make drainage holes in your pot and keep it on a plate filled with water, so the soil takes up water. Do not water your pot from above. 
  5. Make sure the soil is moist; however, don’t let the soil get too soggy.
  6. Please do not place your pot in the bright sun as it can damage the spores.
  7. You will also need to provide humidity to the plant; you can keep your plant covered by a plastic bag.
  8. After a couple of weeks, the spores will start to develop. Keep observing your plant and provide it with the conditions laid down above. 

Summary

The Asplenium Antiquum plant is an elegant green plant that makes for a lovely houseplant. The plant needs ample water, high humidity, and a shaded area to thrive well. The fresh green color and low maintenance of the plant are why many people like to grow them indoors.

Moreover, there are only a few options to propagate your Asplenium Antiquum plant. One of the few methods to propagate your plant is through spores. This method is relatively difficult but can be executed if the procedure is followed well.