Care of Ferns

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

Care of Ferns

Repotting, and Dividing, tke Roots

The best time for repotting or dividing ferns is when the new fronds begin to arise. This will soon bo taking place in greenhouses that are supplied with artificial heat. In the cold houses it is best to delay the work for a few more weeks as the ferns will be showing little sign of new growth for a while yet. The first thing necessary is to clear the ferns of aril old fronds so that one can see clearly what is going on. Cutting the ferns to the level of the pot is a great check to them. Willi the maiden hairs it is possible to pull out the dying fronds. The unwanted fronds from ferns of the pteris family and others of this type, with very wiry stems, should be trimmed out with a pair of scissors. Then it will be necessary to decide whether it is advisable to put the ferns in larger pots or to divide them. Large specimens are rather apt to go thin in the centre, so, after a few years, it is better to divide the older plants, potting on the younger ones to take their places. Do not be afraid to divide them freely, for more life and energy can be induced in the smaller pieces. The maiden-hairs lend themselves freely to division. The best soil for maidenhairs is one part good loam, one part of pent, and a good sprinkling of sand. Should there be any difficulty in obtaining peat, leaf soil will answer as well. The beautiful ferns of the nephrolepis family do well in the same compost, but the commoner kinds, such as ribbon ferns, aspleniums and nephrodiums, can be given a stiffer soil composed of two-thirds loam, with the remainder leafsoil or sand.

When dividing ferns do not cut them up with a knife, but force into small pieces with a liandfork. Many growers are puzzled by the enormous number of roots which ferns make. When healthy plants are turned out of their pots even the crocks are invisible because of the roots. It does 110 harm, but on the contrary will do good, to cut off the bottom part of the roots just above the crocks. When potting on, the roots round the side of the ball should be loosened with a pointed stick. Ham the soil quite firm, and make sure of an even firmness all through. Keep the ferns fairly low in the not, for the rhizomes bearing the fronds gradually rise higher; they are also root producers. After potting water sparingly till the roots are again active.