I have sent an earlier message, but I guess it didn't go corectly.
You can use commercially prepared agar formula sold as Saboroud's( not sure on spelling) to propagate almost any fungal organism, many ferns and other cryptogams. It is very widely available.
The secret of success is to go to extremes to insure sterile conditions. It helps to have ben exposed to a course in bacteriology. GOOD LUCK!

I collect spores of Maidenhair Fern in October. I bake potting soil in a shallow Pyrex baking dish. After taking it out of the oven I keep a pane of glass over it. Sow the spores litely on top and keep moist. At first the spores will develop into prothallus similar to liverwort. Eventually a fiddlehead emerges with the true fern. This takes place ofer a period of months. You can propagate hundreds of plants this way.
You don't need agar to grow ferns from spore but what you do need is an understanding of the life cycle, when to collect spores, and alot of patience.
Sam

hello;you might be interested in the website involved with the culture and study of the genus; Ceratopteris (C-Fern). spores and agar/nutrient supplies available by a direct link:((right margin)) to Carolina Biological Supply Co. From there,access their search engine-type in - "C-Fern"

http://cfern.bio.utk.edu/resource/resource.html

Here is a link that might be useful: c-fern site

This is a formula for modified Beijerinck's agar, for mosses and ferns. It is from "Preparation Guide for Laboratory Topics in Botany", by Eichhorn, Perry, and Evert.
Stock solution:
5 g ammonium nitrate
2 g magnesium sulfate
2 g potassium phosphate, monobasic
1 gram calcium chloride
1 Liter distilled water.

Dilute 1 part stock solution with 9 parts distilled water.
To one liter of diluted solution add 1 mL 1% ferric chloride solution just before use. Then add 16 grams plain agar per liter, boil until agar is dissolved and sterilze in autoclave. Pour petri dishes at least half full to delay drying out.

My beginning botany classes have had excellent results growing C fern spores from Carolina Biological with this medium. We sometimes get some fungi in the plates, but it doesn't seem to affect the ferns. We also tried spores from a Boston fern and found that almost every one of them grew. Next time I will know to make a dilute suspension of the spores to spread them more thinly.
I have also grown C fern spores easily in potting soil, covered to prevent the surface from drying. Using agar and petri dishes gives students a little experience with scientific equipment.

Anna