2023-12-21 07:00:00
Do you have ferns outdoors or are considering growing them? Find out how to take care of them so that they grow healthily in your home.
Last update : December 21, 2023
Ferns are a great way to add a wild touch to your vegetable garden. These plants are very resistant. This is why they are becoming one of the most popular options when it comes to decorating outdoor spaces.
If you already have ferns in your garden or are considering having some, you may be wondering how to provide them with proper care to keep them always strong, healthy and attractive. In this article, we give you some tips to apply.
Caring for your ferns
The fern is found in a large number of natural environments, such as forests, rainforests and mountains. There is therefore a wide variety of types: more than 12,000!
Although each outdoor fern may require specific care, here are some tips that apply to each.
Also read: Ground cover plants to replace the lawn in the garden
1. Water them regularly
Due to their tropical origin, ferns need a humid environment to grow. You must therefore water them with a certain frequency. According to experts, the ideal is to do it once a week and, in hot weather, increase this frequency to twice a week.
Moreover, it is recommended to water their leaves from time to time, in order to maintain a high humidity level. However, excess water could drown the roots and encourage the appearance of fungal diseases.
2. Place the ferns in semi-shaded places
Generally, the fern prefers indirect light. A good option is to plant it near a wall, fence or any construction that brings it a little shade. But also allows it to absorb sunlight at certain times of the day.
If this plant does not receive enough sunlight, it may begin to lose foliage color and exhibit stunted growth, eventually dying. However, it is more common for this plant to suffer from a lack of light rather than an excess.
3. Use a natural fertilizer
So that these wild plants grow healthily and last longer in your garden, it is preferable to cultivate them on substrates rich in organic matter. One option is a substrate composed of heather soil and a little sand. But it can also be a mulch of leaves or a compost rich in crushed branches.
In short, it must be a well-aerated, light substrate of medium consistency. Also keep in mind that it must allow drainage to avoid root waterlogging.
4. Protect them from pests and diseases
As we said, ferns are not very sensitive plants. They can grow healthily with moderate supervision. However, they sometimes suffer from pests or diseases.
The most common problems you may encounter are:
Fungi or bacteria: anthracnose, botrytis, bénomyl et Pythium.
Parasites : mites, aphids, mealybugs, foliar nematodes and thrips.
To save your fern, if it is contaminated by a fungus or bacteria, you must cut the dry branches and remove the dead leaves from the ground, to prevent the problem from spreading. It is also important to pay close attention to the amount of humidity the plant receives and increase its watering if we notice that it is dry.
In the event that our fern is the victim of a parasite, it is recommended to use pesticides. Like malathion or pyrethrin powders. However, you must be very careful when using chemicals so as not to kill the plant.
5. Prune ferns frequently
Size is crucial for many reasons. Firstly, it promotes healthy growth of the plant, but also oxygen. Thus avoiding the parasites or bacteria that we saw in the previous section. Moreover, Frequent pruning helps to give it a beautiful appearance and control its shape.
6. Take cuttings correctly
Reproducing this plant is simple. Simply collect the spores released by the fronds, that is to say, the leaves of the fern. You can do this with a brush, rotating the leaves and gently scraping away some small bumps of a different color that you notice (as shown in the following image).
Then, you must spread these spores in a moist, shaded environment with a mineral substrate, such as garden soil. Finally, add plenty of water. The first fronds of our new plant will start to appear in a few months, so be patient!
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Caring for ferns with this guide…
Ferns are native to the jungle. These are therefore plants prepared to grow in tropical conditions. With regular watering, protection against pests and bacteria and a good dose of shade, you can keep them healthy and attractive for a long time!
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