How to Get Spores

Ferns

• 1

  Select a healthy frond with spore casings on the underside. Spore casings, or "sori," are tan-to-brown-colored bumps on the underside of the frond that contain the fern's reproductive spores.

• 2

  Slip a clear plastic bag over the selected frond. Secure the bag to the base of the fern frond using a twist tie.

• 3

  Tap and shake the bag and the frond inside the bag until the spores fall out of their casings. Rub the casings with your fingers to help release the spores.

Mushrooms

• 4

  Put a clean piece of white paper into a small, shallow box.

• 5

  Select a fresh, firm, healthy mushroom. Twist its stem to remove it from the cap.

• 6

  Place the cap, gill side down and curved cap side up, on the paper in the box.

• 7

  Place the box in a cupboard or other protected location to keep it away from any airflow that could blow away the spores. Wait two or three hours for the mushroom cap to release its spores. They will be visible on the paper after they're released.