As you have laid out your plans for the Nephrolepis. exaltata....Boston Fern, it does sound like you have given careful thought to its continued good health. A couple points: Ferns do like water, lots of water, but as the light levels begin to wane until the winter solstace, December 21st, the need for so much water will drop. After the 21st, light levels begin to recover and about mid February we assume it is high enough then to begin to think our plants will revitalize. The lower temps at nighttime is ideal. Houseplants do appreciate low nighttime temperatures in the 60's. The only think I can see is the amount of light that comes through the window glass---even in winter, a plant put close to it can burn its leaves. A diaphonous curtain might be put in between to shade somewhat. Ferns are notoriously dirty...they drop much debris and this is a good reason to continue to moisturize by misting occasionally. The tray, as you outline it, is exactly what a humidity tray is, a shallow tray of water over pebbles on which the plant is placed --barely not touching the water. Just maintain the level. As the plant is not growing, fertilizer is not needed. Only when it begins to grow when light levels return is the plant fed. The heater you describe, will of course, send out moving air across the floor. You have chosen to raise your plant--that's a good idea, more light can be made available doing that and the heater will not have such a drying effect on it. Do allow your fern to drain after every watering. The type of pot will determine whether you are letting it drain into a saucer. It is perfectly alright if you wish to let your plant sit for a short time in the drainage to ensure the soil at the roots are receiving sufficient water. Ten, fifteen minutes....then dump the excess. If the pot your plant is in is plastic or ceramic, it will hold water longer. Repeated waterings will be less. If clay, then you can expect increased water times. If perchance, you have your Boston in a pot, then in a sleeve pot, make sure the water so drained doesn't catch up with the plant's bottom.

nothing so yummy this year yet: There is some kind of houseplant fern, something called moses-in-a-cradle, spider plants, Diamond Frost euphorbias (annual), Colocasia Illustris, a small piece of asparagus fern (in case the big one in question doesn't make it), an amaryllis that bloomed out of cycle late Aug. As far as yummy, these guys are waiting for a spot. I can't bear to take cuttings yet while they are in bloom. But eventually I will take cuttings and pot up a few. These were both from cuttings last year. So what do we think will happen to an asparagus fern protected in the garage? Especially since I've got another one as backup. worth an experiment? Or I could put it in the floor on the basement and try to catch some distant flourescent light rays.

I have not tried to winter house ferns outside over winter, but I have had the same Boston fern since the late 70s. This plant is kept over the winter in a bright bedroom where the heat duct is closed. We normally keep the temperature at 67 degrees in the house. Yes, the leaves do turn brown, but the plant recovers in the spring when it goes outdoors,is fertilized and sometimes divided. cleaning up after a fern that drops its leaves is not something I like to do, but I never can let something die. I usually water once a week in winter. Admittedly the fern has a different appearance from that in your picture, but I find it acceptable. GBB

Hi there I am fascinated with your cloche. Is there heating in the top of it ? Adiantums grow in the bush near where I live. They are always in the shade, with moisture in abundance. I am in a warm temperate climate. So I guess you need to replicate those conditions in your house. I would give a misting of water every so often and keep your figures crossed. I would think that letting cold air in under the glass, would not be ideal, as they don't like draughts. Charcoal, it certainly would improve the little space. All the best with your fern, they are very pretty little things.