Fern Not Doing Well - Ask Extension
Hello Experts!Please see attached photo of fern. It was inside and when the weather warmed up we took it outside. We keep it watered and spritz it dai...
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Fern Not Doing Well #657707
Asked June 29, 2020, 3:25 PM EDT
Hello Experts!
Please see attached photo of fern. It was inside and when the weather warmed up we took it outside. We keep it watered and spritz it daily. Yet, it drops leaves.
Any suggestions? Thanks! Steve
Please see attached photo of fern. It was inside and when the weather warmed up we took it outside. We keep it watered and spritz it daily. Yet, it drops leaves.
Any suggestions? Thanks! Steve
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Steve,
This fern appears to be quite under-potted and would benefit from being re-potted into a larger container. The frond drying and dropping is probably due to under-watering, especially if the root zone is overcrowded and there isn't enough soil left to hold the moisture and the ambient temperatures have gone up, causing more rapid evaporation.
Remove it from the pot (you'll have to pop off the basket hook first) and consider dividing the root ball (probably in half or thirds) as you disentangle the roots. Cut all of the old foliage off (leave a couple inches of stubble to avoid accidentally nipping any emerging new fronds). Make sure the new pot has drain holes - if it's a hanging basket, they often come with saucers pre-attached that will need prying off to allow the water to drain freely. Use fresh potting soil to fill in around the root ball and water the plant well once repotted. It should grow new fronts in time (perhaps a few weeks, depending on its vigor and any minor setbacks from transplanting) and should be fairly full by the end of summer.
Misting while outdoors is fairly harmless but also unnecessary due to the high ambient humidity. When it needs water, drench the soil well so excess water rains out of the drain holes (make sure any saucer catching that water is emptied). How often it will need checking for water will depends on many factors, but in a newer, larger pot with more soil and fewer leaves, it won't dry out nearly as often.
Miri
This fern appears to be quite under-potted and would benefit from being re-potted into a larger container. The frond drying and dropping is probably due to under-watering, especially if the root zone is overcrowded and there isn't enough soil left to hold the moisture and the ambient temperatures have gone up, causing more rapid evaporation.
Remove it from the pot (you'll have to pop off the basket hook first) and consider dividing the root ball (probably in half or thirds) as you disentangle the roots. Cut all of the old foliage off (leave a couple inches of stubble to avoid accidentally nipping any emerging new fronds). Make sure the new pot has drain holes - if it's a hanging basket, they often come with saucers pre-attached that will need prying off to allow the water to drain freely. Use fresh potting soil to fill in around the root ball and water the plant well once repotted. It should grow new fronts in time (perhaps a few weeks, depending on its vigor and any minor setbacks from transplanting) and should be fairly full by the end of summer.
Misting while outdoors is fairly harmless but also unnecessary due to the high ambient humidity. When it needs water, drench the soil well so excess water rains out of the drain holes (make sure any saucer catching that water is emptied). How often it will need checking for water will depends on many factors, but in a newer, larger pot with more soil and fewer leaves, it won't dry out nearly as often.
Miri
