Trying to grow ferns
John Fine
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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tropicbreezent
7 years agodbarron
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRelated Discussions
Ferns question
Comments (14)I haven't read this thread in a while- I wish I had kept up because this question is quite interesting. It sucks that the plant croaked- believe me that was one amazing swan song you witnesed. The ones available at Home Depot / Walmart might have poor root systems and low humidity stress while they were in transit probably helped as well- especially in tough weather like winter or mid summer. For people who hate to see 10 dollar ferns die (like moi) there are a few great options. 1. The "Medusa fern" which looks real cute with curled fronds vary in length looking like a head of swinging snakes. It tends to get wild and woolly when taken home (and away from growth retardants) Mine looked so gorgeous in the store I nearly died when I saw it- it still looks great but it has grown like mad.The tag "Medusa" fits it to a T. I only water it every week or so- no problems yet. I'm sure once the central heat is on I will have to water more frequently to counter the dry hot air. 2. Button fern- this plant from Australia likes direct indoor sun (forget what the books say- it loves it and grows like mad when it gets it) it's leathery round leaves stand low humidity well and it doesn't need as much water as other ferns but be careful not to let it go thirsty for too long- it will drop or brown it's leaves and start all over again- you will have a sorry looking plant till it comes back. 3. Mother fern- this plant likes cool rooms and can easily stand the low humidity and irregular watering most busy indoor garderners put it through. As a reward it will bud tiny versions of it's self on all it's leaves and give you plenty of plant babies to raise and give to your friends. 4. Cobra fern- this plant is tropical so it likes high temps just fine. It is one tough mother! I had to wrench one from a pot it had over grown and it lost ALL of it's new root stock- no problem it just grew some more. This plant can get really huge so get a nice pot and watch it- when you find it reaching unmanageable height chop the longer fronds off. I have one called "serrated" which has one frond is 2.5 feet long! I put it in a low shelf and cheer it's exuberance. 5. Asparagus fern- there are 5 or 6 mainstream varieties- they all do well in low humidity with plenty of sun. I watch the watering and only water when the soil feels on the dry side. These are very fast growers- one plant I bought changed pots twice this summer and grew 3 pot sizes. Another variety which was half dead when I spent 2 bucks out of pity for it changed pots once which is amazing since I ain't E.T. Anyway I encourage everyone I know to buy ferns- I want to start a new Victorian fern craze! Help me in this romantic endavor- you will have my eternal gratitude....See MoreWonder where this fern is from
Comments (8)Thanks to deejaus & MM for the birthday wishes...very nice of you both....and deejaus thanks for the info. By my members page it appears I still live in a terrace house in Melb. (and that I was born in 1904) However, I have tried several times to update my member information at both the YOUR PROFILE site at the top of the page (which has now gone) and at Member Pages at the bottom of the page...but have never been successful at getting the changes I make to save. I actually now have 5 acres of trees/native bush in Gippsland...which would explain my interest in tree ferns and other gardening pursuits. Once again, thanks for the wishes....See MoreTips on growing ferns from spores? Have prothallia!
Comments (4)Thanks for the tip! I do always pasteurize my seed starting soil by wetting it, then microwaving it for 8 minutes, then letting it sit covered until cool. I did this for the ferns. Plus I washed the trays and covers with a dilute bleach solution. I must've not been thorough enough, or there was something in the air. I've been peeking, so some fungal spores could have gotten in. I decided to scoop out the fungal/mold areas with a kitchen spoon. So far, no re-growth. We'll see. I've used hydrogen peroxide with veggie and flower seedlings a couple times in the past, though I really don't have problems with molds in my seedlings. The Ostrich Fern is showing some signs of growth now. Fingers still crossed! I found this great article by Bill Cullina about growing ferns from spores, in case anyone is interested. Here is a link that might be useful: NEWFS on growing Ferns...See Moreif you can grow fern, can you grow hosta in the same place
Comments (21)Sally, I had the opposite experience. Most of the ferns I planted, even the ostrich fern died. 100% of the hosta I planted lived, even the one I whacked because I mistook it for a weed. Even the ostrich fern lived in the same spot for 3 years before spreading. There may be some factors in my area that favors the hosta. May be hosta do better than fern in alkaline soil. May be hosta have lower water requirements than ferns. I notice the death usually come when there is high heat and little water. Both the fern and hosta take it in the chin, but the hosta seems to take it better. Paul...See MoreJohn Fine
7 years agoAtlamol
7 years agoJohn Fine
7 years agoJohn Fine
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoAtlamol
7 years agoJohn Fine
7 years agoAtlamol
7 years agocearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoJohn Fine
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
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