If grown in the open, it needs a tropical climate, well-drained soil, and a sheltered position. Propagation is by cuttings planted with bottom heat, or by air layering.
Its natural home is in the Caribbean region.
They are succulent plants that grow easily as a potted plant, but the rosette of leaves and the flower spike are greatly extended when not grown as an epiphyte.
Its natural habitat is on forest trees in eastern and central Mexico.
This true epiphyte is rare in cultivation. Additionally, it should always be provided with a warm, moist atmosphere to keep this plant in a healthy condition.
It is a natural species from the tropical island of Java, Indonesia. The ocean breezes and frequent thunderstorms have a cooling influence during the wet season, which is from November to April.
Syn. Bryophyllum jongmansii.
Variety ivohibensis is similar in all respects to the variety jongmansii above, but the flowers are larger.
This rare plant comes from the cloud forests of the Andringitra Mountains, Madagascar. Accordingly, the area has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters, with the heaviest rainfall between November and April.
This plant makes a good hanging container plant. It enjoys cool summers and frost-free winters.
Their natural home is in the cool, subtropical, montane rainforests of central Madagascar. It also enjoys the same climatic conditions as K. Jongmansii.
Possibly, this epiphyte has its seeds distributed by bats. All plants must germinate as epiphytes, as the seed that is sown in soil soon dies.
In its native habitat it occurs from 50 to 1000 metres (15 to 3300 feet). It can be found on large trunks, and on low limb joints of large canopy trees in Panama.
Syn. Zamia ortgiesi.
Contributed by Adam Black.
Thirty-six to forty species are in this genus, mostly, they are from the Asian tropics.
They look good on an epi-log as the stolons often leave the host plant or container, curling and twisting before they fasten themselves down again. This type of growth helps to trap falling leaves and other debris. Other types of epiphytes establish themselves easily in this branching system. Potting mixture, if used, should be very open and the rhizome should not be buried. When we use a potting mixture, keep the roots on the dry side of moist. When placing members of this genus directly onto an epi-log or limb of a tree, we can water regularly as excess will drain away immediately. They respond healthily to the use of liquid fertilisers. To propagate this fern, with a sharp knife, cut 5 to 8-centimetres (2 to 3-inches) from the tips of the rhizomes. Each cutting should have one or two fronds attached. Place on the potting mixture, so that it rests on the surface, and hold in position with a wire loop. Place in a moist area with good light until new fronds appear. At this stage, the plant can be treated like an adult plant.
The Japanese grow them over wire forms filled with sphagnum moss or tree fern fibre. These forms include animals, balls, dolls, pillars and other objects.
Keep in a shady, well-ventilated place. They also should be moist in the growing period and on the dry side when dormant.
Their natural home is on the southern islands of Japan. The average mean temperature is about 16o Celsius (61o Fahrenheit). The summers are hot and humid, as they are influenced by the warm Kuroshio (Japan) Current, and the winters are mild with little snow.
This species is more cold tolerant and will stand mild frost, Also, it likes a shady position.
Its natural habitat is the Canary Islands. A tropical group of islands off the coast of northwestern Africa, and southwestern Europe. Mostly, this area is noted for its mild, and dry climate. The rains fall mostly in the winter season.
As this species is easily damaged by frost, growing it outside in a tropical area is safer. Nevertheless, it can be grown indoors, or in a heated greenhouse in cold climates. Also, light shade is needed. It is a drought hardy fern that becomes totally deciduous in arid times.
This species is usually found growing on the ground, but occasionally found growing on rocks and trees. It is distributed throughout Asia as far south as the northern part of tropical Queensland, Australia. High rainfall in summer is common throughout its habitat. Often, the precipitation is above 2540-millimetres (100-inches).
They grow successfully in a tropical area, but in areas where frosts occur, they need to be grown indoors or in a greenhouse, heated in winter. Light shade is recommended.
Their natural home is spread through Malaysia to China, Taiwan and the Philippine Islands. A climate similar to that of Davalia denticulata is enjoyed by this species.
They can be grown outside in warm-temperate areas and will tolerate short periods of frost. Nevertheless, this may cause it to loose its leaves. Light shade is appreciated by this plant. Preferably, keep the roots moist but not wet.
Davallia embolstegia can be found growing from Indonesia to the Philippine Islands. It shares a similar climate to Davalia denticulata.
Syn. Davallia japonica.
If we provide a warm, moist atmosphere, they become easy to grow. Also they resent being disturbed, so once they are established, just let them grow. Nevertheless, propagation is in the normal way, as described at the beginning of this genus. They just take longer to grow.
On the Philippine Islands is the natural habitat of these plants. It is commonly seen growing on rocks and trees with other epiphytes. This tropical area has a mean annual temperature of about 27o Celsius (80o Fahrenheit). Furthermore, the rainfall averages about 2030-millimetres (80-inches) a year. Most rain falls during the summer monsoon season, that occurs from May to November. From December to April is the dry season.
They grow easily and look at their best in a hanging container such as an epi-log with sphagnum moss wedged in the splits. Their rhizomes wrap around the log and help to hold other epiphytes in position. Place in a warm, shady position and water regularly throughout the year.
We can find them growing on rainforest trees in Malaysia and Polynesia. Although the islands are in the tropics, they are tempered by the southeast trade winds. Accordingly, the average annual temperature is 25o Celsius (77o Fahrenheit). Moreover, the rainfall averages about 2540-millimetres (100-inches annually).
Their natural home is in subtropical to warm-temperate areas that have very rare, if any frosts, and in low to strong light intensities. Keep moist but never wet.
This is a common species that is found on rocks and trees. It is especially fond of growing among species of Platycerium or Asplenium. They can be found in rainforests and protected areas of more open type forests. Their natural home is in southern Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. As a result, it enjoys a subtropical to temperate climate.
This is an easy-to-grow plant that grows successfully in tropical to warm-temperate areas that are frost free. It may be grown indoors or in a greenhouse in cold climates. Dull to bright light intensities are tolerated by this species, although it should be given some shade on hot days in summer. Protection from buffeting winds is essential, as the fronds, especially the new ones are easily damaged. Keep the potting mixture just moist, never wet over long periods.
They are native to northeastern Queensland, Australia and large areas of Malaysia and Polynesia. Often, they are found on Platycerium and Asplenium species. This plant survives in a climate similar to that of Davalia denticulata.
Cultivar Ornata has broader pinnules.
Cultivar Ruffled Ornata has broad pinnules with margins divided and twisted in more than one plane.
Variety fejeensis has the common name of Rabbits Foot Fern, or Lacy Hares-foot, a name referring to its brown, woolly and creeping rhizomes. From the rhizomes grow graceful, triangular and durable fronds. These fronds are delicate and lacy. They grow from 30 to 40-centimetres (12 to 18-inches) long, with strong, wiry stems. These fronds are spaced 5-centimetres (2-inches) apart on the rhizome.
Due to their type of growth, they form good hanging container plant. Tropical areas are the easiest place to grow this fern. However, it will grow satisfactory indoors or in a greenhouse in partial shade. It likes a warm, moist atmosphere protected from winds.
This variety, as its name suggests, is a native of the islands of Fiji.
Variety fejeensis cultivar Dwarf Ripple has very small, finely cut fronds.
Variety fejeensis cultivar Major is like the type species but growing from 30 to 90-centimetres (12 to 36-inches) high. The fronds are pale green and of a coarser texture with wider segments.
Variety fejeensis cultivar Plumosa has the common name of Dainty Rabbits Foot or Plume Davallia. It is a dwarf variety with fresh, green leaves, more finely cut, plume-like fronds than the type species, with very narrow segments. The leaf tips arching gracefully.
The fronds of this cultivar are admired by the cut flower trade. Keep warm in winter and keep in partial shade.
Variety lindleyi is almost the same as the type species.
These plants grow healthily in good light and form a good ground cover in moist, well-drained areas. Also, they form a good hanging container type of plant. However, this species does not like hot weather and looks weaker as the temperature rises. It also needs protection from frosts.
This fern is restricted to Three Kings Islands, north of North Island, New Zealand. In this warm temperate climate it is abundant on rocks and trees. The average temperature varies from 19o Celsius (66.2o Fahrenheit) in summer, to 10.6o Celsius (51o Fahrenheit) in winter. In addition, the annual precipitation averages 1245-millimetres. (49-inches).
It grows easily in warm-temperate to subtropical climates, where frosts are very rare. So grow indoors or in a greenhouse in cold climates. Moreover, it will survive light intensities that range from low to high, providing it is kept in a moist condition. This fern is easy to grow.
The home of this plant is in southeast Asia, where it is found growing as an epiphyte. Therefor, It also lives in the same type of climate as Davalia denticulata.
An open and free draining potting mixture is needed. This should be kept just moist and never wet.
Propagation by tip sections of the rhizome is easy but slow. With a clean, sharp blade, sever 5 to 10-centimetres (2 to 4-inches) from the growing tip of the plant. Place this tip cutting on the surface of moist sphagnum moss. Keep it in a warm, shady area and cover with a clear plastic bag in dry weather, this will help to keep the air around the plants moist.
This species grows successfully in subtropical to warm-temperate areas where frost is very rare. In cold winter climates, it will also grow indoors or in a warm greenhouse. Medium to strong light intensities are preferred, but avoid the full summer sun.
The natural habitat is in India and southern China.
Syn. Davallia griffithiana.
With this plant’s mode of growth, it is very suitable to a hanging container such as a basket or epi-log. It will also grow well on a tree fern trunk. Disturbance is resented by this species. Although, once established, growing it should be easy.
The natural home of this species is tropical India and southern China.