Help Getting Ferns to Grow
Common ferns such as the maidenhair fern, staghorn fern, rabbit's foot fern and the Boston fern grow indoors as houseplants and outdoors in tropical and subtropical regions. Most adapt easily to medium light areas and prefer high humidity. Does this Spark an idea?
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Growing Conditions
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Ferns need well-drained soil that holds moisture well. Peat moss works well, with up to 25 percent added sand. Place the soil in a shallow pot with drainage holes. Water ferns well to keep the soil moist, but don't let it stay wet. If the ferns dry out, soak the root ball in the sink, then drain it thoroughly. Fertilize occasionally with a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the normal strength. Ferns do not need a lot of fertilizer and are easily burned by full-strength solutions.
Light
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Most ferns prefer partial shade and grow easily under good home lighting when a little natural sunlight is available. Where sufficient light is not available, supplement home lighting with fluorescent lights or grow lights. Avoid placing ferns in direct sunlight.
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Humidity
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Ferns need high humidity, which is difficult to provide in the home environment. For best results, use a room humidifier or place the fern on a gravel-covered tray filled with water. Some gardeners prefer to mist the plants, but water on the foliage increases the chance of leaf spot diseases.
Repotting
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Ferns like crowded conditions and do well in smaller containers than other plants might enjoy. Repot them into the next size pot when the roots become crowded. Water the plant thoroughly to loosen the soil. Remove the plant from the pot and loosen the roots with your fingers. When the plant becomes too crowded, divide the plant before repotting. Spread the roots into the new pot and fill it with peat moss. Plant ferns with the crown or rhizome at or above the surface level. Cover the soil surface with a layer of organic mulch.
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References
- Photo Credit fern image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com
