I have ZERO experience with ferns... Rescued this guy but...
#kangaroopawfern
Hi Greggers!
Another rescue of mine needing your green-fingered advice so I can (hopefully) help him!
I "rescued" Sherlock about 3 weeks ago, he was REALLY root bound but I resisted the temptation to repot him whilst he went through isolation, and finally repotted him at the weekend there. I didn't have a terracotta pot so he is in plastic, but I carefully researched the right mix for him (as I do with all my new plants... I like to use Soil Ninja mixes and additions and mix my own).
Here's the question... How do I make him happy? He's under a grow light until the really good weather starts (I'm in Scotland, and he's besides, but not right in, a SE facing window). His roots were actually pretty healthy but I removed any damaged ones before repotting and had to snip quite a few leaves which were paling and crisping. I know they're supposed to be deep, dark green, shiny and leathery looking when healthy but he's been mistreated (sorry to the original owner! But it's true lol) and there are fine brown edges & veining to some of his leaves still (I didn't want to shock him too badly so only removed the worst!). He gets misted regularly and is with my other tropicals so he has plenty of surrounding moisture.
What else can I do? I have no clue about ferns so ... All advice is welcome! 🥰 Thank you lovely people! X
Hi Greggers!
Another rescue of mine needing your green-fingered advice so I can (hopefully) help him!
I "rescued" Sherlock about 3 weeks ago, he was REALLY root bound but I resisted the temptation to repot him whilst he went through isolation, and finally repotted him at the weekend there. I didn't have a terracotta pot so he is in plastic, but I carefully researched the right mix for him (as I do with all my new plants... I like to use Soil Ninja mixes and additions and mix my own).
Here's the question... How do I make him happy? He's under a grow light until the really good weather starts (I'm in Scotland, and he's besides, but not right in, a SE facing window). His roots were actually pretty healthy but I removed any damaged ones before repotting and had to snip quite a few leaves which were paling and crisping. I know they're supposed to be deep, dark green, shiny and leathery looking when healthy but he's been mistreated (sorry to the original owner! But it's true lol) and there are fine brown edges & veining to some of his leaves still (I didn't want to shock him too badly so only removed the worst!). He gets misted regularly and is with my other tropicals so he has plenty of surrounding moisture.
What else can I do? I have no clue about ferns so ... All advice is welcome! 🥰 Thank you lovely people! X
5ft to light, indirect
6” pot with drainage
Last watered 11 months ago
4
Best Answer
@JenniB81
Generally, they prefer indirect light so you may want to be careful how might light he gets and what kind of light (partial shade is fine but direct light, not such a big fan). And of course they love humidity as they thrive in humid conditions and are happier to have wet leaves than wet roots. There is a view that misting doesn't help however I think it can, particularly if there are lots of plants together.
Crisp foliage or brown crisp patches can be caused by underwatering. Kangaroo ferns do not mind bouts of drying out, but prolonged dryness can cause crisp foliage. So I would advise to keep Sherlock slightly moist to allow it to thrive. The soil is best considered to be light a sponge that has been squeezed out rather than one just run under the tap, but you can check the moisture level in the soil by putting your finger or a stick into it and feeling for the moisture level. Avoid watering the crown and it is also good to keep water off the leaves to minimise fungus issues. Also keep away from heaters or air conditioners, etc. The only electrical friend they may enjoy is a humidifier. They're some quick ideas that come to mind. Hope it helps.
Generally, they prefer indirect light so you may want to be careful how might light he gets and what kind of light (partial shade is fine but direct light, not such a big fan). And of course they love humidity as they thrive in humid conditions and are happier to have wet leaves than wet roots. There is a view that misting doesn't help however I think it can, particularly if there are lots of plants together.
Crisp foliage or brown crisp patches can be caused by underwatering. Kangaroo ferns do not mind bouts of drying out, but prolonged dryness can cause crisp foliage. So I would advise to keep Sherlock slightly moist to allow it to thrive. The soil is best considered to be light a sponge that has been squeezed out rather than one just run under the tap, but you can check the moisture level in the soil by putting your finger or a stick into it and feeling for the moisture level. Avoid watering the crown and it is also good to keep water off the leaves to minimise fungus issues. Also keep away from heaters or air conditioners, etc. The only electrical friend they may enjoy is a humidifier. They're some quick ideas that come to mind. Hope it helps.
Ferns can be a little bit tricky sometimes. Sometimes leaves drop leaves after a repot. I have one in my kitchen north facing window and one in my shower in a north facing window. They don’t ever get any direct light and that seems fine. I also try not to ever let them dry out completely. They seem to need water 2xs per week at my house. And mist is good!
Thank you both!! I figured from the crispy leaves that he'd been serially underwatered, so have been trying to keep him moist (but not with "wet feet!"). I know there's debate around the To Mist or Not to Mist question... But I'm with you, I find my tropicals like a good misting! Lol and I'm hoping Sherlock is the same.
Should I keep to bottom watering him to avoid wetting the crown too much? I find it does make it harder to tell when he's needing a drink! Lol but I had gnats for over a year so bottom water all my plants these days! Lol 😂
Great advice about the light levels too, thank you! I've seen different advice in different places... I also have a North facing bathroom with a small window so might try moving him into there! I'm hoping he's just on shock from the repotting and will bounce back! Lol
Thank you so much! Xx
Should I keep to bottom watering him to avoid wetting the crown too much? I find it does make it harder to tell when he's needing a drink! Lol but I had gnats for over a year so bottom water all my plants these days! Lol 😂
Great advice about the light levels too, thank you! I've seen different advice in different places... I also have a North facing bathroom with a small window so might try moving him into there! I'm hoping he's just on shock from the repotting and will bounce back! Lol
Thank you so much! Xx
@JenniB81 I agree with you about bottom watering denies the ability to tell when it's dry. I have a plant they say don't top water but I do, I am just care with doing it so I water the soil, not the plant's crown, leaves, etc. I also use capillary mats on the trays to avoid "wet feet" with tray watering.
Having had lots of fungus gnat issues, I think the key is to water then let the top dry before watering again, this minimises gnat issues. Another option is to top dress the soil with eg fine pumice as a barrier which makes it harder to the gnats to access.
Sometimes you can use a neem oil spray on the leaves to keep any pests away.
A bathroom can be a great area due to high humidity and indirect light so more like their natural environment.
I had a rescue fern (not kangaroo paw) that was a rescue and the new green leaves are growing, so I think with Sherlock it will be elementary!😉🔍
Having had lots of fungus gnat issues, I think the key is to water then let the top dry before watering again, this minimises gnat issues. Another option is to top dress the soil with eg fine pumice as a barrier which makes it harder to the gnats to access.
Sometimes you can use a neem oil spray on the leaves to keep any pests away.
A bathroom can be a great area due to high humidity and indirect light so more like their natural environment.
I had a rescue fern (not kangaroo paw) that was a rescue and the new green leaves are growing, so I think with Sherlock it will be elementary!😉🔍