Golokuchnik

Family: shield ferns. The generic name comes from the Greek words gymnos - голый and carpos - плод and indicates the absence of an indusium (cover) on the sori.

Description: Woodland ferns with twice- or thrice-pinnate thin fronds, with oblong or curved sori on them.

Location: requires a shady position, but with sufficient watering grows well in sun. Prefers light peaty soils. Winter-hardy without shelter.

Care: all ferns do not tolerate manure, compost and similar mixes. They also do not require the application of mineral fertilizers. Natural soils (especially from the forest) are best for their cultivation.

Propagation: the simplest method of propagation is division; they can be propagated by seeds and by parts of the rhizome with a renewal bud in spring at the beginning of May, or at the end of summer. When planting, place the roots shallowly (3-5 cm). The obtained sections, having 2-3 fronds, roots and buds, are planted in shaded, well-watered beds with loose soils for growing on. Division is carried out either in spring, at the time of leaf emergence, or at the end of summer (August). After 1-2 years the divisions are transplanted into flower beds.

Use: as a groundcover plant under spruces, firs or on the north side of a rock garden at the foot of a slope. Rapid spread of the fern is ensured by the presence of long, thin, highly branched rhizomes from which numerous roots arise.