Product Description:
Ferns are relatively easy to grow; however, drafts, dry air, and temperature extremes won’t help. Ferns that are pampered and protected from things like dry air and temperature extremes will reward you with lush green fronds all year round, beautifying your indoor garden more than you could imagine. Ferns are one of the oldest plants, dating back to prehistoric times. These adaptable plants will thrive indoors with the right amount of humidity. Some ferns to consider are button ferns, maidenhair ferns, holly ferns, asparagus ferns and staghorn ferns. Here are a few pointers about their care. Ferns include nearly 12,000 species within a unique category of plants that do not reproduce by seeds produced by flowers that pollinate as do virtually all other plant species.
Water:
Light:
Although most ferns grow in moist, shady places like forest floors, this does not mean that they need no light. Their normal situation in the wild is dappled light.
Soil:
Nearly all ferns prefer a soil that is moist and well-draining. Most do best in slightly acidic to neutral soil, from 4.0 to 7.0 in pH, but some, such as the maidenhair fern (Adiantum), requires a more alkaline soil.
Fertilizer:
Feed your ferns in the summertime every two to four weeks with a liquid fertilizer, but don’t mix it full strength because you can damage the root system. Just a few drops of fertilizer can be added to the water occasionally for misting. Don’t feed your ferns in the winter because they rest. In order to keep the air around your ferns moist, mist them often.
Temperature:
An individual fern’s place of origin and adaptability will determine how high or low of a temperature the fern needs. Most ferns don’t like cold. Those ferns from tropical regions truly appreciate 60-70 F (15-21 C.). Those from more temperate regions enjoy temperatures between 50-60 F. (10-16 C).
Humidity:
All ferns love moisture and should be given humid conditions. In living rooms and family rooms, stand their pots on trays of damp pebbles or clay granules. Ferns also love being misted at regular intervals with tepid, soft water unless the humidity of the whole room is kept high through the use of a humidifier.
Potting and Repotting:
When using ferns as houseplants, choose tropical species. Rather than standard potting soil, ferns will grow best in a richer medium, such as a fern-specific commercial mix or compost mixed with peat moss and sand. Repotting is necessary when the plant begins to crowd its container, which may lead to smaller fronds.
Propagating Ferns:
- Fill a flat or another container with sterile, moistened potting mix designed for ferns. Shake the spores off the paper or bag directly on top of the mix and press gently, so the spores make good contact with the soil.
- Mist the surface of the potting mix, to moisten the spores and keep them in place.
- Cover the container with plastic and place it in a tray filled with one to two inches of water. Move to a warm spot, with indirect sunlight.
- Keep replacing the water in the tray until you see signs of growth. This can take 6 to 12 weeks, so be patient and don’t let the soil dry out.
