The Classic Boston Fern

Saturday, November 20, 2010 03:45 AM

Boston Ferns have been growing in homes since the Victorian era. Their long arching green fronds give an elegant look to the home that few plants can duplicate.

Of the hundreds of different ferns grown the Boston fern is one of the easier ferns to grow in the home. They grow very well if given the right growing conditions.

They need to have lots of bright light but not direct sunlight as this can damage the foliage by causing it to burn and turn brown. Too little light can cause the plant to become spindly. An east or west window would be ideal.

Humidity is an important factor in the health of any fern and the Boston fern is no exception. Boston ferns grow natively in the tropics of South America and for them to remain healthy they need to have moderate humidity.

Daily misting of the foliage can help but a better solution would be to place them on large saucers that are filled with rocks and then fill the rock filled saucer with water so that the level of water is just below the top level of the rocks. Ideally the saucer would be a size larger than the container of the fern and the water level is just below the top level of rock to prevent the ferns roots from sitting in water. By placing the fern on top of the rock filled saucer you are creating a micro climate because as the water in the saucer evaporates up it increases the humidity around the plant. A third solution to raising the humidity is placing a humidifier in the room. One place you do not want to place a fern is near a source of dry air such as heating vents or a fireplace. They prefer daytime temperatures of 18-23 Celsius and night time temperatures can be slightly cooler so the average home is good.

Knowing how much to water is also necessary for a ferns health.

Boston ferns should never be allowed to dry out. During the spring/summer time when the plant is actively growing keep the soil evenly moist. A large reason Boston ferns die is due to lack of moisture. Too much water can also be a problem as it can cause root rot. Over the winter months when the plant is not growing as quickly the watering should be moderated so that you allow the top of the soil to become dry to the touch before giving it a thorough watering and discard any excess water. Always use room temperature water when watering any of your houseplants including the Boston fern.

Boston Ferns are a foliage plant and so should be fertilized with an all purpose 20-20-20 fertilizer. Fertilize monthly in the spring/summer and every 10 weeks over the fall/winter. Sometimes they will get yellow fronds which could be caused by stress due to improper water, dry air, lack of fertilizer, or by age. Brown edges on the fronds could be from uneven water, or by touching the plant too much with your fingers. Boston ferns will need to adapt to a new environment and will sometimes drop their leaves if the change is too severe.

Boston ferns can be routinely trimmed any time when brown or yellow fronds appear or just to keep the desired height and shape. Pruning off the old and damaged fronds will encourage new ones and keep the plant looking tidy. A major pruning would not be done until spring or summer which is when the fern can also be re-potted into a pot one size larger. Ferns can also be divided into half or quarters and each piece can then be planted into individual pots giving you more plants. They can also be propagated by sowing the spores which are the dark brown spots found under the ferns foliage.

If you are looking for an attractive looking plant that can be either used as a hanging plant or a table plant the Boston fern is certainly worth considering.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Home and Garden Centres in Prince George