Under the standard temperature and light conditions, C-Fern develops in about 10-12 days from a single-celled haploid spore to sexually mature gametophytes in which eggs are fertilized by sperm. Mature spores are produced by about 80-90 DFS.
Overview of C-Fern lifecycle
- Spore germination begins three to four days from starting cultures (DFS)
- Spore germination is complete by about six DFS.
- Male and hermaphroditic gametophytes are sexually mature at about 10 to 12 DFS.
- Fertilization of eggs by motile (swimming) sperm occurs after sexual maturity or about 10-18 DFS.
- Sporophyte embryos are visible at about 12-20 DFS
- Sporophyte produce fertile fronds (fronds which bear spores) at about 70 DFS
- Sporophytes produced spores which can be harvested at about 80-90 DFS
