Grow Ferns Indoors
By Briscoe White
Ferns are one of the oldest plants known, dating back to prehistoric times. They are a wonderfully adaptable plant and easy to grow indoors. Because of their soft, delicate appearance, ferns add interest and texture to any room. These adaptable plants will thrive indoors with the right amount of humidity The most familiar varieties for indoor landscapes are those native to a tropical setting.
The natural habitat of ferns is the forest floor and shaded conditions. Therefore, filtered, indirect light from a northern exposure is fine during the summer months. During the winter (November-March), an east window is a satisfactory light source, since the sun is low in the horizon and scalding will not normally occur. Ferns will grow in a temperature range of 65 to 80 degrees F. Temperatures 5 to 10 degrees cooler at night are beneficial.
Ferns have a fibrous root system (roots near the surface) which limits their planting to shallow pots, approximately 4 to 6 inches deep except for very large specimens. A soil mix that is well-drained and containing a large amount of humus is satisfactory.
Plants should be fertilized on a regular basis. Due to the shallow roots of ferns, it is easy to damage them by over fertilizing. Therefore, use 1/4 to 1/2 the manufacturers recommendations on the house plant fertilizer package.
The soil should be kept evenly moist, not wet. Over-watering causes the fronds to turn yellow and wilt. The roots are unable to function due to lack of oxygen and they may actually rot. Once the roots are damaged from over-watering the plant may not survive. Examine the roots to determine if they are damaged. A healthy root system has light brown to whitish growing tips. A dead or injured root will be dark brown or black.
Under-watering can also cause wilting. If the soil is dried out completely, water immediately. To be sure the soil is thoroughly soaked, submerge the pot in water until bubbles cease rising, then allow it to drain until dripping ceases. Once the fern has recovered, use regular watering practices to keep the soil evenly moist.
Bathrooms and kitchens are good environments for ferns because of all the running water. To help your ferns thrive in other rooms, try one of these options: add a room humidifier; mist your ferns lightly every few days (avoid daily misting); place plants away from vents and fans to prevent drying out; add well-moistened mood moss around the base of the plant to help hold moisture in the dirt.
In 1985, Briscoe White opened The Growers Exchange in an abandoned Texaco station on a busy urban street corner in Richmond, Virginia. The facility has grown over the years, and is now 5 distinct growing environments with 5 acres under cover. Briscoe has over 25 years of gardening experience. For further information on gardening products or gardening tips please contact Briscoe White at bwhite@thegrowersexchange.com
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