Boston Fern

Question

I have a Boston fern several years old I had to dig out of the pot because it was dying. On the roots there are a lot of pods about the size of grapes. Are these used in starting new ferns or how can I start new ferns from some already green roots I have?

Answer 1

The pods are tubers or nodules. The plant stores energy in the them. You can't use them to grow new plants. If you divide the plant's rootball with a sharp knife, you can replant the sections and these will grow into new plants. If the plant is looking a little haggard, this will also help to rejuvenate it.