My name is Sam and I'm from Wichita, KS. I want to save my mom's fern because it's browning and I know it needs to be pruned, which I plan on doing. My mom wants to throw it away, and since I have a soft spot for nature and plants, I want to try to save it before we have to let it go. I know enough about composting to feed plants, but I was wondering if it might be a good idea to include what I prune off of the fern in the compost I put into the soil. Will it benefit it? Will it harm it? Will it do nothing at all to benefit it? Please help me figure this out. I could really use the advice.
Avoid fertilizing the fern during the winter months.
Prune away any dead material.
Here are some great articles to help you care for the fern.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/boston-fern/boston-fern-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ferns-houseplants/growing-ferns-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/boston-fern/overwintering-boston-ferns.htm
The stalks of the fern are lying flat on the ground. Will they gain strength and stand up once warmer weather comes? They have been beautiful and healthy for four years now. Something happened this winter. Please advise. Michelle
You generally do not have to prune a Christmas Fern, but if they have been damaged or broken, they can be removed.
A Christmas Fern will very commonly lay it's fronds flat on the ground during winter. This is how the plant protects itself.
You fern will likely began to lift it's fronds as the weather warms.
Only when the new young ferns grow will the previous years fronds turn yellow and die.
You can apply fertilizer in the spring. A light application of a granular fertilizer for acid loving plants.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/christmas-fern/christmas-fern-care.htm
This morning my dog ate my sprouting fern. I found the roots and stem still intact so I put it back in the soil and watered it. The fern no longer has any of its leaves. Will it survive? What else can I do? Erin
Your Fern will likely recover with a bit of time.
You can add some small fencing to protect the area until the Ferns are larger.
I use the inexpensive wire sections from the dollar store to protect the slower growing spring plants from my dogs! I know where to stay out of but they don't know where the plants are!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/ferns/taking-care-of-outdoor-ferns.htm
Last fall my fern garden sprouted up bunches of brown arrow like twigs. I left them over winter, not sure what they are. What should I do with them this spring?
This is likely a Cinnamon Fern.
They sprout cinnamon colored fronds from the center of the plant.
They should be left on the fern.
Old and damaged fronds can be pruned from the plant.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/cinnamon-fern/growing-cinnamon-ferns.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/ferns/taking-care-of-outdoor-ferns.htm
The plant is developing brown tips. Can you help?
Browning leaves can be due to a few issues.
The article below will help you correct the problem.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/boston-fern/boston-fern-turning-brown.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/boston-fern/boston-fern-care.htm
I received by mail order 2 cinnamon rhizomes. One end was completely flat as having been sliced the other end looked like roots. I planted even with the soil with the flat end up. Is that correct?
Yes, you can cover lightly with mulch to help protect the rhizomes until they are established.
Water the newly planted rhizomes 1" per week.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/cinnamon-fern/growing-cinnamon-ferns.htm
Should I cut off last year's fronds from my ferns? What exact fertilizer should I use for my ferns? Thank you.
You really don't need to cut ferns down. The new growth will push up through the old fronds and they'll soon disappear.
Planting ferns in good soil composition is actually more beneficial to them than fertilizing, and this article will help you with that:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/ferns/taking-care-of-outdoor-ferns.htm