Can Asparagus Fern Take Direct Sun? Latest Care Answers
Although the Asparagus Fern is not a true bamboo, its leaves are soft and delicate, remaining emerald green year-round, and its stems have nodes that make it resemble bamboo. Yet compared with upright bamboo, it shows an elegant and unrestrained posture, making it a highly ornamental plant that can be placed in the living room or study, purifying the air while adding a scholarly atmosphere. Now let us take a look at whether the Asparagus Fern can take direct sun!
Can Asparagus Fern Take Direct Sun?
Asparagus Fern can take a moderate amount of sun. The Asparagus Fern prefers a semi-shaded environment, and is best placed indoors with diffused light. Except in winter, it should not be placed in direct sunlight during the other seasons. In spring, summer and autumn, if it is to be placed in the sun, it should be given shade. Moreover, watering should be moderate, neither too much nor too little. At the same time, in spring and autumn it should be fertilized once every half month.
Making a Bonsai with Asparagus Fern
1. Choosing materials: one Asparagus Fern about 20 cm tall, two Asparagus Ferns just over 10 cm tall, an irregular-shaped white marble shallow pot with its matching stand, several rocks about 10 cm tall, and an appropriate amount of potting soil and moss.
2. Shaping the bonsai: spread a thin layer of potting soil over the surface of the white marble shallow pot. Plant the tallest Asparagus Fern with its curved branches and leaves facing left at the right end of the pot. Plant the second tallest Asparagus Fern not far to the left of the first one, positioned appropriately near the back rim of the pot. Then plant the shortest Asparagus Fern at the boundary between 1/3 and 2/3 of the pot's length, with its curved branches and leaves also facing left, so that the orientation of the three Asparagus Ferns is coordinated and unified. Then adjust the positions of the Asparagus Ferns in the pot until they look natural and graceful.
3. Placing rocks and laying moss: place several rocks at an appropriate position toward the right rear of the pot surface, and cover the potting soil on the pot surface with moss to achieve a greening artistic effect. Finally, spray clean water onto the Asparagus Fern and the moss to moisten the potting soil.
How to Grow Asparagus Fern
1. Potting soil: for growing Asparagus Fern, the potting soil should be fertile sandy loam, requiring warmth and moisture, rich in decayed branches and leaves, and good drainage. Generally, it can be mixed in a ratio of 4 parts garden soil, 2 parts leaf mold, 2 parts compost soil and 1 part sand, and the soil should be changed and fertilizer added regularly. If over-fertilization causes “root burn”, the pot needs to be turned out to remove the fertilizer, and the soil ball rinsed with clean water, then replaced with new soil for growing.
2. Watering: watering is the key point in growing and cultivating Asparagus Fern. Too much watering and overly wet potting soil easily cause root rot, while too little watering leads to withered, scorched and yellowing leaf tips. Therefore, in the process of watering, it should be done according to the weather, the growth condition and the dryness or moisture of the potting soil, following the principle of not watering when dry, and watering thoroughly when watering. In hot, dry weather, the leaves can be sprayed with water to increase humidity and lower temperature, while in winter less watering is needed.
3. Fertilizing: Asparagus Fern does not like heavy fertilizer, but it cannot lack fertilizer either. Limited by the potting soil of container growing, nutrients must be supplemented in time to meet its growth requirements. In the process of fertilizing, apply small amounts frequently, and do not apply concentrated fertilizer, otherwise it will cause yellow leaves. Generally, applying a thin, decomposed liquid fertilizer once a month is enough. After the plant grows larger and its form is set, fertilizing can be appropriately controlled and reduced. During the growing season, apply a thin fertilizer containing ammonia and phosphorus 1 to 2 times a month to promote lush branches and leaves; other liquid fertilizers may also be used. Do not fertilize too much during the flowering period; applying liquid fertilizer twice each in May to June and September to October is enough.
4. Light: Asparagus Fern must not be exposed to the scorching sun when grown. In hot seasons, it should be placed in a cool, ventilated spot. At the same time, during the flowering period the Asparagus Fern fears both wind and rain, so attention should be paid to good ventilation, and in good weather it can be appropriately placed outdoors to receive sunlight. In winter, the temperature for potted Asparagus Fern should be kept above 5°C to avoid frost damage.
5. Placement: Asparagus Fern loves a clean environment with circulating air. If irritated by harmful gases such as smoke, dust, coal gas and pesticides, its leaves will turn yellow, curl and even wither and die. Therefore, the Asparagus Fern should be placed in a clean, well-ventilated environment, away from decorative materials such as marble that release mercury gas.