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Hold the fern in one hand, then tilt the pot and guide the plant carefully from the container. Place the fern in the new container and fill in around the root ball with potting soil up to about 1 inch (2.5 cm.) from the top. Adjust the soil in the bottom of the container, if necessary.
When should you transplant a Boston fern?
When Boston ferns become overgrown, their roots can crowd the pot and sometimes cause it to crack. Spring is the best time to transplant or divide the plants. Boston ferns are hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11.
Can a Boston fern be divided?
Propagation may also be achieved by dividing Boston fern plants. First, allow the fern roots to dry out a bit and then remove the Boston fern from its pot. Using a large serrated knife, slice the fern’s root ball in half, then quarters and finally into eighths.
Does Boston fern like to be root bound?
Why Some Plants do Better as Root Bound The reasons some houseplants perform better as root bound houseplants are varied. In some cases, like with a Boston fern or African violets, a houseplant does not transplant well and transplanting the root bound plant will be more likely to kill it then help it.
Can you replant hanging ferns?
Regular transplanting to larger pots gives the roots enough space to grow. You can transplant the entire fern or divide it into smaller bunches. Choosing the correct pot size and planting medium gives you an ideal start to replanting your hanging fern.
What can I do with an overgrown Boston fern?
You don’t want to crop the top of the plant when pruning Boston fern. Instead, trim off the side fronds at the base. Also remove old, discolored fronds near the soil to allow new growth to come through. Remove the unsightly stems to the base as well.
How do you replant a fern?
When transplanting ferns, be sure to dig up the entire clump, getting as much soil with it as possible. Lift the clump from its bottom (or root area) rather than by the fronds, which can lead to breakage. Move it to the prepared location and cover the shallow roots with a couple of inches (5 cm.) of soil.
How do you propagate ferns from cuttings?
Ferns can be grown from clippings, also known as cuttings. Place a 1-inch layer of sand in the bottom of a small pot for drainage. Plant the fern clipping 1 inch below the surface and lightly cover with dirt. Place the pot with the clipping in an area with filtered sunlight near a north-facing window.
What do you do with Boston fern stolons?
Propagating Boston ferns takes one of two forms: runners, or division. Runners will extend out from the plant and will gradually develop roots. These runners are called stolons. You can remove these at the base of the old plant and repot them in sterile potting soil.
What kind of soil do Boston ferns need?
These ferns like organically rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Poorly drained soil can cause root rot and ultimately kill the plant. For container Boston fern plants, use a peat-based potting mix.
How do you take care of a Boston fern in a hanging basket?
Ferns in hanging baskets tend to dry out quickly and require more frequent watering, especially during the summer months. Be careful not to overwater during the winter. Feed a fern in a hanging container every month during spring and summer using a balanced, water soluble fertilizer mixed to half strength.
How long do Boston ferns last?
If your plant becomes infested, make sure to treat the plant as quickly as possible to keep it healthy. Boston fern care is as simple as making sure that the plant is in the right environment. If you make sure that your fern is getting the right care, your plant will live for many years to come.
Do ferns need big pots?
Fern plants don’t like containers that are too large for their size, but they can become pot-bound as the roots grow and develop. It’s possible to salvage a pot-bound fern, either by division or by transplanting it to a larger pot.
What is the best potting soil for ferns?
Ferns require indirect sunlight, moist soil, and a humid atmosphere. Ferns prefer potting soil with good drainage and high organic content. A potting mix should have peat moss or sphagnum for moisture retention, sand or gravel for drainage, and sterilized bagged garden loam or potting soil.
How do you bring a Boston fern back to life?
As long as there are at least a few healthy green leaves on your fern (even one), there is a chance to bring them back. Prune all dead foliage. Once the fronds have died off, they won’t miraculously spring back to life. You can trim fronds that are only partially dried.
How do I make my Boston fern dormant?
If you do not have the light requirements for overwintering a Boston in the house, you can let it go dormant by placing the plant in its container in a garage, basement, or outdoor building where the temperature doesn’t go below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Light is not required, though watering once per month is.
Do Boston ferns have aerial roots?
Ferns grow aerial roots for the same purposes as other houseplants. However, you might also notice some additional growth from your fern called stolons. Stolons are runners that reach out of the plant and slowly develop roots. Aerial roots are quite common on ferns, especially on Boston ferns.
