Cretan Brake, Ribbon Fern
Care
Lighting
Variegated Cretan Brake cultivars need bright light for intensive leaf coloring. Some morning or evening sun is welcome. The green forms do also good if placed in part shade. Hot summer afternoon sun can cause leaf burn.
Soil
Mixes for container plants, vegetables or herbs can be used.
Watering
Allow the compost to max. dry to 70 % of the pots height before adding water.
Feeding
If Pteris cretica is placed above 20 °C (60 °F) a half diluted standard liquid fertilizer can be given every month or second month. New bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first year.
Temperature
The Cretan Brake can be grown warm the year round but also tolerates a winter rest period at 10 to 15 °C (50 to 59 °F). Minimum temperature for short time is 5 °C (41 °F).
Propagation
By division or spores.
Profile
Scientific name
Pteris cretica
Common name(s)
Cretan Brake, Cretan Brake Fern, Ribbon Fern
Family
Pteridaceae
Origin
Africa, Asia, Europe
Height
20 to 60 cm
Toxic
No but not edible
Adiantum caudatum