MAIDENHAIR

Maidenhair fern is the most loved or at least it is the most grown of all ferns. People love it as much for its quaintly delicate leaflets, as for its soft shiny stems. The fragile appearance of a maidenhair fern with its gentle, green color, adds a lushness and a cool look to any setting. Apart from its uses as an indoor plant, maidenhair will naturalize beautifully in cool garden positions, between pavers or bricks. It is actually in hanging baskets that this fern gains its popularity.

Whether grown on its own or as a composite planting, you can be assured of a thrilling result if these following notes are observed. Good luck with your ferns – the efforts are always rewarding.

POSITION

Maidenhair ferns will grow best inside in a well-lit position, out of direct sunlight or with some very early morning sun. They tolerate either a warm or a cool spot however growth is quicker in a warm position. They require humidity to grow well. This can be achieved by placing the plant on a saucer filled with pebbles and water that provides moisture in the air as it evaporates around the fern.

The biggest problem in growing these ferns inside is when the position fluctuates- e.g. a bathroom that is humid and warm after a shower and cold and dry the rest of the day. Maidenhairs prefer a situation that stays roughly the same in warmth and humidity. They do not like being moved as it often sets them back until they adjust to the new environment. Warm laundries, bathroom and windowsills are all good spots.

Maidenhair ferns grow well outside on protected patios, under pergolas, in shade houses or in the garden and are best protected from the wind. They do well in positions where they get some very early morning sun or some filtered sun.

WATERING AND FEEDING

Keep them evenly moist all year. From September to March feed them every 2 weeks with liquid fertilizer e.g. MAXI CROP, NITROSOL or OSMOCOTE FOR INDOOR PLANTS.

PROBLEMS

One of the main problems is getting the right position for the maidenhair ferns to grow successfully. Mealy bug may be an occasional problem. Use CONFIDOR, FOLIMAT, BAYTHROID or PESTOIL lightly sprayed to control these problems.

REPOTTING

Repot from September to February. The best options are our PROFESSIONAL POTTING MIX, PREMIUM MIX OR INDORR/OUTDOOR POTTING MIX. With varying degrees of slow release fertilizers, and water retaining agents your maidenhairs will grow very well. Be careful not to plant the crown below soil level, as it is the point from which the new founds develop

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