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- Q.How To Care For An Octopus Fern - Need care instructions...our fern doesn't look happy. It's an Octopus fern.
- Q.Silver Lady Fern - We have a silver lady fern in a pot on our balcony. It seems to be struggling, as its leaves ...
- Q.Getting Rid Of A Fern Pest - I have a fern that is similar to a Crows Nest; however, the leaves do not curl. They are very ...
- Q.Mammoth Fern - Can I plant a mammoth fern outside? I live on Hilton Head, S.C.
- Q.Garden Ferns - Can Lady ferns and other garden ferns be pruned to ground and restarted?
- Q.Damaged Cinnamon Ferns - We had a group of a dozen or so cinnamon ferns growing for over a decade in our yard. About ...
- Q.Fern In A Pot - I was given a silver fern in a 300mm pot. It seemed to do well in the beginning (new, healthy ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
October 25, 2016Q.How to care for an octopus fern
Need care instructions...our fern doesn't look happy. It's an Octopus fern.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
October 28, 2016A.I believe you are referring to the Asparagus meyeri fern or Foxtail Fern.
Here is a link with care information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/asparagus-fern/foxtail-asparagus-ferns.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
November 18, 2016Q.silver lady fern
We have a silver lady fern in a pot on our balcony. It seems to be struggling, as its leaves seem to be stunted in growth and some are browning underneath. Any suggestions on how to bring life back to this fern would be appreciated. I'm at a loss. It was doing well when we first got it. It has semi shade on our balcony. Can you help at all.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
November 18, 2016A.Your fern needs moist, well draining acidic soil.
Full to partial shade.
Add lots of organic material to the pot.
Remove old leaves as needed.
Feed every 3 months during the growing season. Use a organic slow release fertilizer.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/lady-fern/planting-lady-ferns.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
skiptra on
February 26, 2017
Morningside 4170Q.Getting rid of a fern pest
I have a fern that is similar to a Crows Nest; however, the leaves do not curl. They are very dark green and throw a "I will say flower" long stem that appears to have brown spores. Best I can describe it. A pest is eating the foliage. I have tried just about everything on the market, still something is attacking this plant. Would you please advise what I can do to eradicate this pest? Every night I wrap a light weight lace curtain over the plant, and if for some reason I forget, well this beastly bug has a good dinner. Many thanks Mrs K Kemp P S I cannot show you a photo, I am not computer literate. KK
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
February 27, 2017A.This could be slugs or snails, if you are not able to see the pests. Slugs come in the night and can devour plants.
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/kill-garden-slugs.htmIf it is another type of pest, Neem Oil is a good treatment.
Neem Oil is safe for people, pets and bees.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Lynnhillhhi on
February 26, 2017
Hilton head s.c.Q.Mammoth fern
Can I plant a mammoth fern outside? I live on Hilton Head, S.C.
Answered by
Alisma on
February 27, 2017
Certified ExpertA.It seems that the name "mammoth fern" can apply to different large fern species. If you can find the botanical name of the plant you want, look up its USDA gardening zone to see if it is a match for your climate. Hilton Head is in gardening zone 8b.
Was this answer useful?00- Asked by
tpierce331 on
March 4, 2017
Charlotte, NC 28211Q.Garden Ferns
Can Lady ferns and other garden ferns be pruned to ground and restarted?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
March 5, 2017A.Spring is good time to divide a Lady Fern, but since the fern is just starting it's growth cycle in the spring, it would not be recommend to prune them in the spring.
Here is a link with care information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/lady-fern/planting-lady-ferns.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
ngroves on
March 4, 2017
7BQ.Damaged cinnamon ferns
We had a group of a dozen or so cinnamon ferns growing for over a decade in our yard. About a month ago, we discovered that at least half of them had either been trampled or eaten nearly to the ground. We've never had problems with animals in the yard before (our pets don't bother them, and the yard is fenced), so we're at a loss as to the cause. The larger question is whether they will regrow. It's an early spring, and I'm already seeing the first tiny new growth on some of my ferns that die back over the winter. I'm keeping an eye on the damaged ferns but haven't seen any clear signs of growth. I will replant them if necessary but don't want to rush into that if they'll come back.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
March 6, 2017A.It is difficult to say what caused the damage to your ferns. I do know plenty of gardeners that set up wildlife cameras in their gardens to 'discover who did it'.
Look for signs of tracks in the soil. that may be your biggest clue.
I have heard of birds doing significant damage to tender perennials, including ferns.
If birds are the issue you could try netting covering the plants until they are larger.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Robert Schubach on
March 29, 2017
Wellington, New ZealandQ.Fern in a pot
I was given a silver fern in a 300mm pot. It seemed to do well in the beginning (new, healthy shoots etc.) but after a year it now seems to be dormant. Leaves are going brown on the edges, and there are no new shoots. Will it survive in the pot, or must it be planted in the ground? Does it need special fern food, or is plant food and fertiliser sufficient? I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Robert.
- Answered by
Alisma on
March 30, 2017
Certified ExpertA.Increasing the humidity often helps ferns. If it's indoors, it may also need more light (although not direct, bright light). Adding some compost to the pot should help too.
This article explains what soil a fern needs and how to determine whether it needs repotting:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ferns-houseplants/growing-ferns-indoors.htmhttps://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/ferns/brown-tips-on-garden-ferns.htm
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