Autumn Fern Care
Hi! I recently got a baby Autumn Fern about a week ago, and I am a little worried about its progress. Its fronds feel very dry (could be normal for the plant?) and I have noticed that a few of the fronds are broken/dying. All of the other ferns that I bought with the Autumn Fern have been thriving and growing new fronds since I repotted them, but I’m worried that my Autumn Fern is not on the right path. (Greg doesn’t let me give this as an option, but the soil is a mix of equal parts peat moss and potting soil-my ferns have liked that in the past.) Does anyone have any tips for taking care of these plants and what I may be doing wrong? Thanks in advance!
#HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #NewGrowth #PropagationStation #FernFriends #AutumnFern #PlantTherapy #NewPlantMom
#HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #NewGrowth #PropagationStation #FernFriends #AutumnFern #PlantTherapy #NewPlantMom
6ft to light, direct
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 years ago
2
Hi @gracekelly , there’s always that one out of a batch that doesn’t play nice. If this isn’t the same as the other ferns, it may be just because it has different requirements than the other kind of ferns you are used to.
I found this from Monrovia:
Provide organically rich, slightly acidic, moist, well-draining soil. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; once established, water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil. Fertilize regularly during the growing season. Cut back old fronds after new growth begins in spring.
Have you checked the pH of the soil mix you made? Could the pot be too large or too deep for your plant? Does it have drainage? If not, it needs it and it should have multiple drainage holes to help speed up the process. Artie looks like it has been potted in a pot that is too deep may be retaining water at the bottom because it’s too deep. Opting for a smaller and shorter pot to keep the roots snug would help. If the fronds are broken, you may have a pet or animal playing with it depending on where it is kept. If you mean yellow and wilting after a few days as the fronds emerge, then
It’s possible you have root issues or pests. I think it may be from the depth of the planter and how it is retaining moisture your plant doesn’t need. Switch it out and make a lighter fluffier mix of soil with pumice in it , lighten up on the watering, and see how it does.
I found this from Monrovia:
Provide organically rich, slightly acidic, moist, well-draining soil. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; once established, water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil. Fertilize regularly during the growing season. Cut back old fronds after new growth begins in spring.
Have you checked the pH of the soil mix you made? Could the pot be too large or too deep for your plant? Does it have drainage? If not, it needs it and it should have multiple drainage holes to help speed up the process. Artie looks like it has been potted in a pot that is too deep may be retaining water at the bottom because it’s too deep. Opting for a smaller and shorter pot to keep the roots snug would help. If the fronds are broken, you may have a pet or animal playing with it depending on where it is kept. If you mean yellow and wilting after a few days as the fronds emerge, then
It’s possible you have root issues or pests. I think it may be from the depth of the planter and how it is retaining moisture your plant doesn’t need. Switch it out and make a lighter fluffier mix of soil with pumice in it , lighten up on the watering, and see how it does.
Hi @AnthuriumQueen , thanks so much for your help! I will definitely repot the fern today into a shallower pot to see if this helps. Unfortunately, some of Artie’s fronds were broken in transit, so he is still recovering from that.
I just tested the pH of the soil and it looks to be in the acidic range which is good! I also read online that Autumn ferns tend to be slower growers than other ferns, so hopefully Artie is just a late bloomer :). Thanks again, I really appreciate your help!
I just tested the pH of the soil and it looks to be in the acidic range which is good! I also read online that Autumn ferns tend to be slower growers than other ferns, so hopefully Artie is just a late bloomer :). Thanks again, I really appreciate your help!