rust on fern
By Davefc
Taunton Somerset,
United Kingdom 
I have a fern that just seems to be growing wild outside my back door it just seems to die down to nothing over winter then about now it springs up. the problem is last year it developed what looked like rust all over does anyone know what causes this? and how to prevent it ?
15 Apr, 2009
Answers
Look on the underside of the leaf are there rows of 'swellings' if yes these are where the spores come from. It is a happy fern. If no then Gilli's advice is good.
16 Apr, 2009
Was the "rust" stuck on the leaves Dave or could you dust it off.....Ferns reproduce through spores which can be released quite thickly sometimes. The spores, which are dust-like, can fall on lower leaves and look similar to fungus. But usually it will brush or wash off.
If it truely was rust fungus then spraying with a fungicide is your best bet. There are some organic sulphur based ones that work quite well. Also clean up all the dead fern fronds and leaves from around the plant base. Fungus spores can over winter in this kind of material. Dispose of the dead leaves in the rubbish....don't compost them.
16 Apr, 2009