Fern babies!

[LaBelleSauvage123]

I have two ferns ( I think they’re ostrich ferns but I’ve lost the labels) growing in large pots. This year, as well as the growth from the main crown, both plants have got small fronds emerging at the very edges of their pots. Are these separate plants or runners? Can I use them to fill gaps elsewhere in my garden?

Could be, ferns are very prolific when in the right situation. They are a lovely foil for other plants.

Does anyone know how to propagate them? Pic for info

They either multiply from the base, each year or grow from the spores(seeds) that appear on the fronds in the Autumn.
I usually just wait for the babies to appear, all over the place and then replant.
I have split a very old fern and it was fine.

I started off with four like that and they started sprouting up elsewhere - I dug up and moved some of them and they've been fine (although each year I cross my fingers that they will reappear!)

I had a poke around at the base of the shoot and it appears to have a very long tap root or something - do I cut it or try to dig right down under it?

Ferns are quite tough, dig down and pull it out or tip out the pot, remove the small plant and replace the larger one. Pot up the small one, give both a good drink, they’ll be fine.

Thanks will do that today!