Fern propagation
In this activity, students learn how to propagate ferns. All ferns reproduce by means of spores. Some ferns, like the hen and chickens fern, reproduce asexually by means of bulbils.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
understand that all ferns reproduce sexually by means of spores
understand that some ferns also reproduce asexually by means of bulbils
understand the growing conditions needed for fern reproduction and propagation
have a clearer understanding of the fern life cycle.
Fern reproduction
Most ferns reproduce sexually. Dr Leon Perrie from Te Papa discusses the main elements of the reproductive life cycle of ferns. He refers to a diagram of the fern life cycle interactive to illustrate his clear concise explanation.
Jargon alert: Meiosis is a special type of cell division that produces gametes (typically egg and sperm cells in animals or spores in ferns) – these are haploid cells as they have half as many chromosomes as their parent and are specialised for fertilisation. Haploid means having 1 copy of each chromosome. Having a single set of chromosomes. Gametes (egg and sperm cells) are haploid.
Point of interest:
The fern life cycle diagram featured in this video is an animated interactive. Students can view video clips and images to learn even more about the life cycle process.
Why is water important for fern reproduction?
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
instructions on what you need and what to do
student instructions for propagating ferns
extension ideas.
Related Content
In What is a fern? learn about this ancient group of plants. A tale of two ferns looks at how DNA helped solve a fern mystery.
Learn more about the different types of vegetative plant propagation.
Ferns come in a variety of shapes and sizes and these interactives explore the fern structure and the underlay of a fern.
