Ferns in the open do not need fertilizer
If you have ferns in your garden, you don't have to fertilize. This is of course recommended by manufacturers of fertilizers... But save yourself the money: ferns in the open fertilize themselves with their fronds. These turn brown in autumn, fall off and cover the root area. It is best not to remove this natural fertilizer!
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In contrast, indoor ferns need fertilizer. For one thing, most house ferns are evergreen and rarely shed their fronds. On the other hand, that little bit of soil in the pot is usually not enough for them to survive vitally for many years.
Which fertilizers are suitable?
Above all, you should make sure that you do not choose a mineral fertilizer. Ferns do not like salts because they are humus roots. Your roots are sensitive to it. Therefore, you should choose an organic fertilizer.
There are special fern fertilizers on the market. However, self-made and other conventional fertilizers are also suitable for ferns, especially if they mainly contain nitrogen. A few examples of fertilizers for ferns in the open and in pots:
- Horn shavings
- Bone meal
- self-made liquid manure (e.g. B. from nettles)
- Brewed and cooled black tea or herbal tea
- compost
- Liquid fertilizer
- Slow release fertilizer in stick form
Dosage of the fertilizer
If you want to use a ready-made liquid fertilizer, do not dose it too heavily! Half the concentration is sufficient for ferns. You should also put this fertilizer directly into the Irrigation water give.
The period and frequency of fertilizing
Last but not least, it depends on the timing:
- Do not fertilize deciduous ferns in winter
- Do not fertilize evergreen ferns in winter or only fertilize them sparingly
- The growing season from April to September is fertilization season
- Fertilize potted ferns in peat soil every 2 weeks
- Potted ferns in Compost soil fertilize every 4 weeks
- before the plants enrich the soil with compost
Tips & Tricks
After fertilizing, ferns should be well watered several days later. The soil must not dry out, otherwise the roots will be damaged by the fertilizer.