Friday

fern care?

Every year I buy pretty hanging ferns for my front porch, and every year, they die.

I just loaded up on ferns again and this year, I am determined for them to live long and prosper.

Have any of you had good luck with ferns? If so, what is your watering schedule? What do you use to feed them and how often?

Thanks-

Katie

11 comments:

Laura said...

i wish i could help....i kill plants too.
but we are adding a beautiful patio cover complete with outdoor fan in a couple of weeks and i too, want to have hanging plants and such to enjoy while i am sipping a cool beverage in the evening. therefore i will be keeeping an eye on the comments from those who have had success with hanging plants.
if it helps the experts, this area gets full sun from early am until about 2 pm and here in central cali it gets mega hot with temps well above 100 from late june until september...but it is a "dry" heat. LOL

Anonymous said...

Big fluffy ferns look so good hanging on big old fashioned porches. They don't like a lot of hot direct sun. The thing i've found that they looove more than ever though is a good misting on a regular basis. Keep a spray bottle filled with water on the porch and give them a good spritz on your way in and out.
MB

Anonymous said...

Good luck with that. It's my personal experience that if you are plant-cursed, no amount of advice can help. I've managed to kill everything from ferns to lilies to my Chia herb garden.

*~Cheri~*

Anonymous said...

Boston ferns are tricky because they like moisture, but if they don't have good drainage they will 'root rot' and die.

I like the soak method of watering. If you have a washtub you can soak several at once. If not, use a bucket or wastebasket. Add enough water to submerge the soil, and allow the fern to soak for an hour or so. Add 10-10-10 fertilizer monthly. Important: Make sure your pot is draining well. Mist the fern daily until it needs another soak. Depending on the humidity, it could be 3-5 days, or even a week.

Anonymous said...

I think pots of impatiens look pretty too and they are easier to keep than ferns, in my experience.

Anonymous said...

Direct Sun
Water every other day
Mist every day
Shade
Water once a week or so and mist as well
Misting is the key to thriving ferns.

Anonymous said...

If the ferns are in shade, water about once a week from the top, use plant food---the turquoise blue kind is fab, called Peter's. The key is to let the fern get dry and "light" before watering. Do not water a little each day. I agree with the need for misting too. I take the hose and spray a mist with it late a night, a good evening ritual.

Anonymous said...

Also, if you can keep them alive this summer, cut them back and keep them in a low cellar light, cool and dark (although not pitch dark) during the winter. Water every so often so that they are not bone dry. Then in March, bring them out again and hang and repeat. They'll grow huge.

Anonymous said...

It's too early. We'll likely have another frost or two. Watch the weather and don't leave them out. Ferns don't do well when it's frosty - even a light one. Mist them every single day and water them at least every other day until water runs out the bottom. Get the entire fern wet. They're a lot of trouble. When the season's over, THROW THEM AWAY. Don't be tempted to try to winter them inside. They make a terrible mess. Ferns like shade too - no direct sun.

Anonymous said...

Mist them and put them in the shower about once a week. In the tub with the water on.

Anonymous said...

i totally always kill ferns, usually by overwatering and misting them too much.

try this link: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/pf_house_plants_ferns/article/0,2029,DIY_14169_2277724,00.html