MAIDENHAIR FERNS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 59, 11 March 1937, Page 26

MAIDENHAIR FERNS

AS POT. PLANTS

Maidenhair ferns should be at their best now. Hot, dry air does not suit them, but they do well in pots in a cool shady room. They must have shade from direct sunshine and must never, be allowed to get dry at the roots. ' .... • The fronds are liable to become dusty and under such conditions the plants never look so well nor do they flourish as they .should. To cleanse the foliage either syringe, the plants regularly or swill the tops about in water. In either case the chill should be taken off the water before use. Fronds that have;: withered, or are ; withering, should be cut off low down. Do not attempt to pull them out or some of the roots and new growth may be pulled away with them. Should the soil at any time become very dry, stand the pot in a basin of water with the chill off. The water should be up to within half an inch cf the rim of the pot. In a short time the soil will have become soaked through, when the pot should be lifted out and stood to .drain after which watering ■ should be done •; in the nor :

mal way. Weak doses of soot water are excellent for maidenhair ferns. Give ■ once every ten days or a fortnight immediately after watering for preference.