This exotic Araflora plant is a real must for all plant enthusiastics. Neotropical snakeferns (Microgramma, Polypodiaceae) are handsome, interesting and easily-grown additions to almost any plant collection. Many of the species have intricately-patterned leaf veins that resemble fanciful calligraphic scrolls or inked Art Noveau embellishments. They are unobtrusive and gracious bay window, sunroom and greenhouse guests that are very forgiving of minor cultivation errors. They are also fairly fast-growing; in a surprisingly short time span, most species can be grown to fill 6”/15 cm basket size from fairly small established starts.
These ferns respond very well to frequent drenches with dilute, balanced fertilizers suitable for orchids and other epiphytic plants.
As is the case with most ferns, dilute fish emulsion (5:1:1) works wonders to accelerate growth in specimen plants, but many find the smell of even deodorized versions offensive and it will often attract vermin.
Most of the more common species also make superb additions to wet walls and vertical plantings under warm, bright conditions.
Several species that occur at upper elevations in Central America and the Andes have proven to be tolerant of temperatures into the mid-40s F/7 C.
