quaking aspen is a high-maintenance plant, due to its ability to spread, unless it is a large rocking poplar that you desire (from time to time). Such a stand (colony) may be appropriate for an isolated area of your property.
Source: KJ R
To grow a single quivering fern as a specimen or shade tree, you must continually remove any new plants sprouting from the root system to prevent unwanted growth and protect the foundation and septic system. It is not technically invasive, but it is considered a biocide, producing many genetically identical plants in the vicinity.
Light
Grow aspen in full sun for best results
Soil
Provide a fern with good drainage. A medium garden loam is enough.
Drinking water
For best results, keep the soil evenly moist.
Temperature and humidity
Quaking ferns do not handle heat and moisture well. It is not suitable for regions such as Southeast America.
Fertilizer
Quaking aspen works best in moderately rich soils. Fertilize whole in early spring for extra vigor. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging exactly. The instructions will indicate exactly how much fertilizer to use, the amount varies depending on the size of the plant. Over-fertilizing can burn your plants.
Cut
The best time to prune aspen is winter as this is when the tree hibernates, meaning it will tolerate cuts better. The fern will need to be pruned after the limbs have been damaged by heavy winter snowfall. Injured limbs should be trimmed back to the collar. Dead or diseased branches should be removed whenever you spot them.
Breeding Aspen Quaking Plants
The poplar tree spreads naturally through its root system, which develops into large medias over time. In such a stand, one tree is a copy of the next. The plants are also different species, so there are separate male and female colonies. Because quiver aspen plants propagate themselves so easily through their root system, you can take advantage of this fact to get new plants. Simply dig up branches from the original tree and transplant them to a suitable spot in your landscape. This is the easiest way to propagate rocking ferns.
How to grow Aspen Quaking plants from seeds
You can also grow it from seed, but it’s a bit more complicated. If you go this route, at least simplify matters by buying seed instead of trying to harvest it from the wild. The latter is difficult for beginners because male pollinators don’t look much different from seed-bearing female plants (both produce pumpkins).
Once your seeds arrive, fill the pot with a seed starter and moisten it. Sow the seed right on the seeding medium; do not cover them with soil. Keep the environment humid; Placing the container in a plastic bag will help retain moisture. The seeds will germinate in 24 hours. Place the container at a window for light. Plant outdoors after risk of frost has passed.
Overwintering
The Quaking fern is hardy in all zones 1, so you don’t have to be careful when burning it.
