Can Maidenhair Fern be kept indoors?
The Maidenhair Fern, with its slender and glossy black leaf stalks that closely resemble human hair, and its extremely soft and delicate texture like a young girl's soft tresses, is also known as the “maiden's hair.” The Maidenhair Fern is evergreen all year round, with dainty and lovely fronds that are very endearing. So can the Maidenhair Fern be kept indoors? Let's take a look below at whether the Maidenhair Fern can be kept indoors!
Can the Maidenhair Fern be kept indoors
The Maidenhair Fern can be kept indoors. Not only can it be kept indoors, but it can also purify the air. The Maidenhair Fern can absorb about 20 micrograms of formaldehyde per hour, so it is considered the most effective biological “purifier.” Those who work with paint and coatings all day, or who have smokers around them, should place at least one pot of ferns in their workplace. In addition, it can also suppress xylene and toluene released from computer monitors and printers.
Feng shui for placing the Maidenhair Fern indoors
1. Living room: For tabletops and side tables in the living room, it is best to use mini foliage potted Maidenhair Ferns. If you choose plants in pots of size 3-4 (pot diameter 9-12 cm) or smaller, with stems 5-6 cm tall, they can purify the air and also cultivate character.
2. Study: The Maidenhair Fern placed in a study should help enhance a quiet and elegant atmosphere. The Maidenhair Fern is a fresh and elegantly understated plant that can regulate the nervous system, eliminate fatigue caused by work and study, and complement the rich scholarly atmosphere. For example, dotting a desk with a few graceful and refined Maidenhair Ferns is a fairly ideal choice.
3. Bathroom: Bathrooms have high humidity and heavy stale air, while the green plant Maidenhair Fern can absorb moisture and stale air. Therefore, placing suitable plants in the bathroom helps remove dampness and drive away stale air. Plants for the bathroom can be those tolerant of shade and moisture, with soft fronds and no hairs or thorns, such as the Maidenhair Fern, lucky bamboo, weeping fig, and radiator plant.
How to grow the Maidenhair Fern
1. Soil: The Maidenhair Fern prefers loose, well-drained, fertile calcareous sandy loam. When potting, the growing medium can be made by mixing equal parts loam, leaf mold, and river sand.
2. Temperature: The Maidenhair Fern prefers warmth, with a suitable growing temperature of 13-22 degrees C. Planting in spring in the south is excellent, and it can also be done in the north, but because the Maidenhair Fern is not tolerant of high temperatures, the care methods are also different.
3. Light: The Maidenhair Fern prefers semi-shade. Never let the Maidenhair Fern receive direct sunlight; it is suitable for growing in semi-shade.
4. Watering: The Maidenhair Fern prefers moisture. During the growing season, water more. In hot weather, spray or sprinkle water on the fronds to maintain relatively high air humidity and keep the leaf patterns clear and the foliage emerald green.
5. Fertilizing: Apply diluted liquid fertilizer 2-3 times a month. When fertilizing, do not stain the fronds, to avoid causing leaf rot. Because of the Maidenhair Fern's calcium-loving habit, it is advisable to add an appropriate amount of lime and crushed eggshells to the potting soil. Regularly applying calcium fertilizer will produce better results. In winter, reduce watering and stop fertilizing.
6. Pests and diseases: Potted Maidenhair Ferns often suffer from leaf blight. In the early stage, Bordeaux mixture can be used for control. In severe cases, a 1000-1500 times dilution of 70% thiophanate-methyl can be used for control. If scale insects harm the plant, a 1000 times dilution of 40% omethoate can be used for control.
7. Pruning: After early autumn, as temperatures drop, the Maidenhair Fern enters a stage of slow growth, and old leaves gradually turn yellow. At this time, they should be cut off.