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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.
Can Boston ferns 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.
How do you divide a Boston fern?
Here’s how to divide a Boston fern: Start with a large, full Boston fern plant. Remove plant from its pot. Using a pair of garden forks, divide the root ball in half. Divide the root ball again into quarters. Repot the plants into individual pots or place several in a larger container.
When should I divide my Boston ferns?
The best time to divide ferns is in the spring. When separating a fern, you first need to remove it from its old pot or dig up the clump. Once it’s out, brush off and shake loose as much soil as you can. It may not be much, as ferns tend to have very tight, interlocking root balls.
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 replant ferns?
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.
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.
Will fern cuttings root in water?
To successfully grow ferns in water, make sure that you keep the plant along with the roots in a vase or a glass bowl full of water. You’ll see the best growth if your fern plant in water will receive at least a couple of hours of the gentle morning sun, and bright indirect light every day.
How do you separate a fern plant?
Dividing ferns is pretty easy, and below is how I do it. Step 1: Grab a fern. Step 2: identify the different crowns and joins. Step 3: Remove from pot (easier said than done sometimes) Step 4: Divide the fern with a clean, sharp knife. Step 5: Plant up with good compost and water well.
Do you have to repot Boston fern?
Most Boston ferns benefit from repotting at least every two to three years, although some fast-growing ferns may require repotting more often. Several signs indicate your fern needs a larger home. A badly root-bound fern may crack the pot. It’s a good idea to repot the plant before this happens.
Can you transplant hanging fern?
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.
How do you multiply ferns?
The quickest way to grow more ferns is through division, preferably in spring. Start by watering your plant the day before you begin. Then, dig it up or gently remove it from its container, and cut or pull the plant into 2 or 3 clumps. Leave at least one growing tip—the spot from which the fronds grow—in each clump.
Can I use 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.
Can you use Miracle Grow on ferns?
Use Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food for larger Boston ferns and those grown outdoors, and Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food for smaller indoor Boston ferns. The amount you use to fertilize your fern will vary depending on its size, so be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
How do you know when to repot a Boston fern?
When to Repot Boston Ferns Don’t wait until the pot is badly root bound. If the potting mix is so root-compacted that water runs straight through the pot, or if the roots are growing in a tangled mass on top of the soil, it’s definitely time to repot the plant.
How do ferns move to new locations?
Fern varieties propagate through spores or by division. You can dig and divide a mature plant or transplant a young plant to a more desirable location in your garden. Ferns can help solve problem shady spots in the landscape, notes PennState Extension.
Can I transplant ferns from the woods?
The short answer is that you really shouldn’t. In fact, in many areas, transplanting ferns from the wild is illegal, and with good reason: Collectors in parts of the globe have succeeded in driving several species to the point of extinction.
How do you transplant a male fern?
The hole needs to be deep enough to stabilise the plant – usually about fifty centimetres. Place the base of the tree fern in the hole, make sure the trunk is straight and backfill. Tamp the soil firmly around the base for added support. Jane says, “It’s vitally important to water tree ferns into their new position.
