Yood, yes, cultivating the Narcissus (US-Daffodil) is considered a high skill hobby among the Vietnamese. Mostly are done in water and not in soil. It is a difficult technique as I was told by my parents. It's considered to be a hobby among the prestige. You're right about how to force Hoa Mai to bloom. Since in south VN, it is the main decorated plant for the Lunar New Year, most of the time we force it to bloom in time for the New Year. Lucky you that it only takes 2 weeks in your area to force it blooms. For us here in the US, it takes 6-7 weeks for it to bloom. Then again, it could be due to a different hybrid than the one you have. Daai_Tau_Lam, I didn't mean Hong Kong to be cold such as freezing temperature but isn't the climate is subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall? This is almost the same as of North Viet Nam. South VN is very tropical. There is no cool weather at any time of the year with the exception of Da Lat because it's in higher altitude. Let's put it this way, we have rain forests in the south. I guess when it comes to plants, there is a big different between tropical and subtropical climate. Plants are very picky, aren't they? Hoa Mai may be one of them. It may not grow easily under Hong Kong climate. Maybe, that's why you don't see them? Or, is it perhaps, because there's not enough demand for it so nursery don't bother to grow it? Hey, but like you said, if you're able to provide the perfect condition for the plant, you can grow it. Heck, there're plants that are grown in space and in moon soil even. Personally, I want to grow so much more than I have place and physical strength for. Aren't we all?!? I have burst of interest of a certain kind of plant every season. Then if it doen't work out, my burst of interest change. Last year, it was orchids; this year, it's roses. Love our discussions :) It's so interesting since we live in 3 different parts of the world. Well, I need to visit the Rose forum now and learn some more :) Ciao, til later!

The brown tips will stay on the fronds, the tissue is dead and won't recover. If the problem's still there the brown will keep spreading. You need to check on new growth to see if the plant is definitely back to normal growth. The problem could also be chemical, something in the water, soil, or fertiliser if you've used any. Another problem could be low humidity levels.

Maidenhair fern grows naturally in moist, calcareous woods that are well-shaded. I would think that exposure to a good deal of sunlight would be detrimental. One solution would be to move it to a spot that gets more shade.

I wish I knew! Giant Chainferns are my favorite fern. Since you're on the coast, I'd guess slug or snail damage... but I'm really not sure. Nothing eats my Chainferns, here. Josh