How to Divide Boston Ferns

Boston ferns are a favorite among many gardeners. They are easy to care for and look cool and refreshing on a shaded porch or in a sunny corner of the house. One advantage to growing a Boston fern is that, when the fern begins to take over its container, you can divide it into several smaller pants, making it an economic plant to own.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sheet of plastic
• Sharp butcher knife
• 15-inch container
• Commercial potting soil
• Garden shears
• Trowel
• Water

1. Spread a sheet of plastic. Set the pot with the fern and the new pot for the divided fern on the plastic. This will help to catch the soil as you divide the fern, making cleanup easier.

2. Prepare the new container for the divided fern. Make sure it has adequate drainage. Put enough potting soil into the bottom so that when the new fern is planted, the final soil level will be about an inch below the pot’s edge.

3. Remove the fern from the container and carefully loosen the roots, removing as much of the old soil as possible. Cut the root ball from top to bottom, either in half or quarters, depending upon the size of the original plant. You can use your hands to separate the plant, but cutting it is easier and will damage the plant less than trying to tear it apart.

4. Clip off all of the dead fronds from the divided fern and put the plant into the new pot. Add more potting soil to the sides of the fern, watering liberally to move the soil down into the root structure. Keep adding soil until the pot is filled to within an inch of the pot rim. Carefully tamp down the soil and water liberally again. This help to remove any air pockets around the roots.

5. Move the pot with the transplanted Boston fern to a spot that where it receives indirect sunlight, such as under a shade tree or on a covered porch or in a sunny spot in the house. Keep the soil moist, not drenched, until the transplanted fern is established and putting out new growth. Don’t be concerned if some of the fronds wilt and die; this is common when dividing and transplanting. Trim them off and the plant should recover on its own.

Tips & Warnings

• Boston ferns love humidity. If you live in a dry climate, mist the plant daily. Remove dead or dying fronds, so that plant will focus on growing new fronds, rather than trying to support dying fronds. Water thoroughly and then wait under the soil is dry before watering again. Use a 10-10-10 liquid plant fertilizer once a month.

[joanhaines]

on 5/11/2009 I will need to know how to do the dividing for when my ferns get bigger!