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Summary
of the final Report on the Australian Flora Foundation funded project:
The biology and cultivation of Revwattsia fragile (Watts)
D. L. Jones, a rare Queensland fern, for potential commercial production
D. Christine Cargill and David L. Jones
Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, CSIRO. Canberra. ACT. 2601.
Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra. ACT. 2601 Grant
details Final report
Summary
D. Christine Cargill1, 2 and Jen Johnston1
1 Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, CSIRO. Canberra.
ACT. 2601.
2 Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra. ACT. 2601.
The rare, endemic fern Revwattsia fragilis (Watts) D.L.Jones, is a spectacular
plant with fronds growing up to 1–2 m long. The narrow range and
limited number of populations of this species, and its vulnerability
to habitat disturbance, climate change and collecting predation make
it an immediate priority for introduction into horticulture. The objective
of this project was to establish Revwattsia fragilis as a viable horticultural
commodity by determining the optimum spore germination conditions using
sterile media and determining the optimum growth and horticultural conditions.
Optimum germination in axenic culture was obtained using either modified
Hatcher’s medium or modified Moore’s medium, solidified with
Phytagel. The Revwattsia plants were slow-growing, requiring a number
of years and repotting before reaching the stage of producing the large
mature fronds found in wild populations. However, the developing juvenile
plants are also attractive, and with time potted juveniles will grow
to maturity if correctly nurtured. Revwattsia requires good drainage
- the optimal growing conditions in the glasshouse were found to be a
potting mix of one part decomposed pine bark to one part small pebbles,
with regular watering to promote good steady growth.
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