Plant, care, cut, propagate and more

Plant fern properly

When planting, pay attention to the special botanical structure of primeval fern, set the course for a decorative leaf plant that is as magnificent as it is uncomplicated. Choose a semi-shady to shady spot with fresh, moist soil, richly populated with soil organisms. During the preparatory work, place the root ball in lime-free water until no more air bubbles rise. How to properly plant ferns:

• The planting pit has twice the volume of the root system
• Compost, peat soil, peat and horn meal add
• Insert the potted young plant and water generously overhead

mulching Finish off with leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch. As long as there is still a threat of late ground frost, protect yourself at night garden fleece the plant from frostbite.
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care tips

The guide to proper fern care is dominated by an ample supply of water through the roots and leaves. All the other clues follow. The key factors at a glance:

• Water the fern regularly and spray it with lime-free water
• Fertilize organically every 4 weeks from April to mid/end of September
• Container plants provide liquid fertilizer for ferns
• Cut out wilted leaves during the season
• Cut back close to the ground in January/February

If the fern acts as a decorative houseplant, it does not need to be pruned completely. With consistently warm temperatures, the plant does not take a winter break. Therefore, from October to March, continue to apply fertilizer at intervals of 4-6 weeks.
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Which location is suitable?

Declared a shade plant, ferns should not live completely cut off from sunlight. Mild morning or evening sun is even desirable for vigorous growth. The light and temperature conditions at the location should be like this:

• Partly shaded to shaded location
• No blazing sun or sweltering heat at midday
• Preferably on the cool edge of the wood, airy, but not exposed to the wind

The higher the humidity, the lower the maintenance effort. If you cultivate ferns as a room plant, they will thrive in bathrooms and other humid rooms.
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The right planting distance

The selected species and variety defines the planting distance. The following overview sets out the general conditions for small, medium-sized and large ferns:

• Small ferns up to 40 cm high: Plant distance 25-35 cm
• Medium-sized ferns 40-80 cm high: planting distance 45-55 cm
• Large ferns 80-120 cm high: planting distance 70-100 cm

What soil does the plant need?

The closer the quality of the soil is to loose forest soil, the more frugal the plant is to care for. Ferns value the following attributes:

• Nutrient-rich, humic and permeable
• Fresh, moist, yet without waterlogging
• Acidic to minimally chalky

What is the best planting time?

The ideal planting time outdoors is from the end of March/beginning of April to the beginning of June. It is better to put a frost-sensitive plant in the ground after the ice saints. Indoor ferns can be planted all year round.

When is flowering time?

As a vascular spore plant, ferns do not rely on attracting insects and other pollinators for reproduction. A flower will therefore not present itself on the leaf ornamental plants.

Cut fern properly

Cut dead leaves at the base during the growing season to make room for fresh growth. If the plant thrives in the bed, the root system will pull in the leaves by winter at the latest. Ideally, the withered fronds remain on the plant until January/February as additional protection from frost and snow, before being cut down to the ground. If you cultivate ferns behind glass in the room or conservatory, a complete pruning is not necessary.
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watering fern

The plant comes from the rainforests of the tropics, where the sun never breaks through the twilight and the air is 90 percent humid. With the help of the right watering technique, it is possible to create an almost tropical microclimate for vital growth. How to handle this central care topic professionally:

• Water the fern plentifully and regularly with soft water
• Spray or sprinkle the leaves every 1-2 days

Apart from exceptions, such as floating fern, the plant should not be exposed to permanent waterlogging.
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Fertilize fern properly

All ferns are naturally sensitive to lime and salt. In addition to using soft irrigation water, take this requirement into account with the following nutrient supply:

• Fern in the bed from April to September once a month fertilize with compost or nettle manure
• Apply liquid special fertilizer for ferns in a bucket every 14 days

Since room ferns retain their green fronds year-round, apply liquid fertilizer at a diluted concentration every 4-6 weeks from October through March. Ideally, add the preparation to the irrigation water to spray the plant with it.
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Diseases

Over the course of their millions of years of evolution, ferns developed a robust resistance to disease. Regardless, the need for constant moisture sometimes causes a fungal infestation. Above all, rot fungi cause brown discoloration of the leaves and the plant dies. Thin out the fern thoroughly and create better water drainage. In addition, cinnamon powder has a repellent effect on the spores spread on the substrate.
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pests

Fern is one of the preferred prey patterns of vine weevils and snails. To get rid of the voracious pests, do the following:

• Control vine weevils with baited traps prepared with nematode gel
• At the same time fight the larvae in the soil with nematodes dissolved in water from the watering can
• Keep snails away with moving barriers made of potsherds, grit or other sharp-edged materials
• Coffee grounds scattered around the plant have a toxic effect on the voracious pests

hibernate

Most ferns are frost hardy. During the winter, the plant pulls in its leaves in order to sprout freshly at the beginning of the next season. If you cultivate the ornamental leaf plant in a bucket or if the garden is in a rough situation, we recommend these protective measures:

• Leave the withered foliage on the fern until late winter
• Pile up the plant with leaves, compost, straw or pine twigs
• Wrap a planter in bubble wrap and place it on a block of wood
• Water on frost-free days if there is no snow or rain

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propagate fern

These methods are available for breeding ferns:

• Division of the root balls Rhizomes in spring: by far the most uncomplicated propagation
• sowing of spores harvested from the underside of leaves: labor intensive and tedious

Shield fern develops children in the axils of its fronds of its own accord. These are cut out and then rooted in disinfected potting soil within a few weeks.
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How do I plant correctly?

Do not expect ferns to change location until they are 4 years old or older. Choose an overcast day in April or May for this measure so that the plant can take root well in the new place during the summer. Follow these steps:

• The root area with the spade cut off in the radius of the expected growth height
• With the digging fork loosen and lift off the ground
• The new planting pit has twice the volume of the root ball

Do not plant the fern deeper than at the previous location. Ideally, enrich the excavation with compost, bog soil and horn shavings. In order for the plant to grow quickly, water thoroughly every 1-2 days for the first 2 weeks.
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fern in the pot

Ferns thrive in pots when the plant finds a nutrient-rich, loose and structurally stable substrate. Cover the soil with potsherds or expanded clay for drainage, as waterlogging causes root rot. This is how care works:

• Water generously when the substrate has dried
• Spray with soft, room-warm water every 2-3 days
• Fertilize every 2 weeks from April to September, every 4-6 weeks from October to March
• Cut wilted fronds regularly at the base

Use mainly decalcified irrigation water and fertilize with low-salt special fertilizer for ferns.

Are ferns poisonous?

Care should be taken when handling ferns, as they are all poisonous. The level of their toxicity varies from plant to plant. As a result, cultivation within the reach of children and pets is not recommended. Wearing gloves is obligatory for all maintenance and planting work.
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brown leaves

Brown leaves on ferns indicate frost damage or rot. If delayed ground frosts can be ruled out as the cause, check the plant for waterlogging and rot fungi. If in doubt, change the location, optimize the water supply and thin out the fern. Pollinate the diseased plant repeatedly with rock flour and add cinnamon powder to the substrate.
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Yellow leaves

Yellow leaves on ferns are a characteristic symptom of leaf chlorosis. This is an undersupply of the plant with iron, which is fixed due to a too high lime content in the soil. Therefore, only water with soft water. A special iron fertilizer from specialist shops provides a short-term remedy.