Cultivation Methods and Key Care Points for the Boston Fern
Optimal Growing Temperature for the Boston Fern
During the day, the optimal temperature for Boston fern growth is generally 24 to 26°C. Take care to avoid harsh direct sunlight, but it can be placed in a bright spot with indirect light to grow. At night, the optimal temperature for Boston fern growth is 15 to 21°C.
Humidity Requirements for Boston Fern Growth
Although the Boston fern is among the more drought-tolerant plants in the fern family, it should not be exposed to dry conditions for long periods. So during dry spells, water or mist it appropriately to keep its growing environment moist. Of course, do not overwater either; during heavy rain or flood seasons, it should be placed indoors for cultivation.
Repotting and Division of the Boston Fern
The Boston fern grows fairly quickly, and after about a year of growth it generally needs repotting. The best time to repot is in spring, when injured roots heal easily. Division can be done at the same time as repotting, turning one pot into two or even more pots.
That covers the introduction to Boston fern cultivation methods. Now let us look at how to propagate the Boston fern!
Cultivation Techniques for the Boston Fern, Tips for Growing the Boston Fern, What Are the Cultivation Methods and Precautions for the Boston Fern
When it comes to the Boston fern, I believe everyone is familiar with it. Because it looks like a centipede, the Boston fern is also known by the alias centipede grass. The Boston fern not only has extremely high ornamental value but also has certain medicinal value. Thus, it is deeply loved by everyone. So, do you know what precautions there are for cultivating the Boston fern? Does the Boston fern have any requirements for growing environment, water or fertilizer? Today, the editor will give everyone a detailed introduction to knowledge related to the Boston fern. Let us learn about it together.
1. Growing Environment
Centipede grass often grows terrestrially and epiphytically in rock crevices and on tree trunks beneath streamsides and forests. It likes warm, humid and semi-shaded environments. The suitable growing temperature is 16 to 24°C from March to September, and 13 to 16°C from September to March of the following year. In winter the temperature should not be lower than 8°C, but it can tolerate short periods of 0°C low temperatures. It can also tolerate high temperatures above 30°C.
2. Watering
Because centipede grass likes moist soil and relatively high air humidity. In spring and autumn it needs sufficient watering to keep the potting soil from drying out, but watering should not be too much, otherwise the leaves easily turn yellow and drop. In summer, besides watering, it also needs to be misted several times a day. Especially for hanging cultivation, the air humidity needs to be greater, otherwise when the air is dry, the small pinnate leaflets easily curl at the edges and scorch. Centipede grass likes bright indirect light, but it can also tolerate lower light levels. Direct sunlight must be strictly avoided. For large-scale cultivation, a shade net should be installed, with a shade rate of 50% to 60% being suitable.
3. Fertilizing
For potted centipede grass, a loose, fertile, airy neutral or slightly acidic soil is suitable. A mixed substrate of leaf mold or peat soil, culture soil or coarse sand is commonly used. Place more broken tiles and broken bricks at the bottom of the pot to help with drainage and aeration. During the growing season, fertilize once every ten days, and a "Huiyou" 20-20-20 general-purpose fertilizer or 20-8-20 four-season high potassium nitrate fertilizer can be used.
4. Pruning
During the growing season, remove dead and yellow leaves at any time to keep the leaves fresh and emerald green. When grown in hanging pots, mist more, apply more foliar fertilizer and prune to adjust the plant's shape, and pay attention to ventilation.
5. Pest and Disease Control
When cultivated indoors, if ventilation is poor, it is easily harmed by aphids and red spiders. It can be controlled by spraying soapy water or a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate. When watering is excessive or air humidity is too high, the Boston fern is prone to physiological leaf blight. Note that the potting soil should not be too wet, and spray with a 600-fold dilution of 65% zineb wettable powder.
That is all the content I have learned about the Boston fern today. I hope flower lovers will find this article helpful after reading it. To learn more about the Boston fern, please continue to follow Duorou Huapu, and we will provide you with more related knowledge!
How to grow the Boston fern? An introduction to Boston fern cultivation methods
Image: centipede grass
[Common Questions] How to grow the Boston fern? An introduction to Boston fern cultivation methods
[Expert Answer]
Introduction:
Boston fern, also known as centipede grass, round spleenwort, comb grass and stone yellow skin, belongs to the genus Nephrolepis in the family Nephrolepidaceae. It often grows terrestrially and epiphytically in rock crevices and on tree trunks beneath streamsides and forests. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions. In China, it is found growing wild in the southern provinces and regions such as Fujian, Guangdong, Taiwan, China, Guangxi, Yunnan and Zhejiang. It is commonly seen beside streams in forests, in rock crevices, or attached to trees, and often grows in patches in the wild. It is currently an ornamental fern widely used both in China and abroad.
Cultivation Methods:
1. Growing Environment
Centipede grass often grows terrestrially and epiphytically in rock crevices and on tree trunks beneath streamsides and forests. It likes warm, humid and semi-shaded environments. The suitable growing temperature is 16 to 24°C from March to September, and 13 to 16°C from September to March of the following year. In winter the temperature should not be lower than 8°C, but it can tolerate short periods of 0°C low temperatures. It can also tolerate high temperatures above 30°C.
2. Watering
Because centipede grass likes moist soil and relatively high air humidity. In spring and autumn it needs sufficient watering to keep the potting soil from drying out, but watering should not be too much, otherwise the leaves easily turn yellow and drop. In summer, besides watering, it also needs to be misted several times a day. Especially for hanging cultivation, the air humidity needs to be greater, otherwise when the air is dry, the small pinnate leaflets easily curl at the edges and scorch. Centipede grass likes bright indirect light, but it can also tolerate lower light levels. Direct sunlight must be strictly avoided. For large-scale cultivation, a shade net should be installed, with a shade rate of 50% to 60% being suitable.
3. Fertilizing
For potted centipede grass, a loose, fertile, airy neutral or slightly acidic soil is suitable. A mixed substrate of leaf mold or peat soil, culture soil or coarse sand is commonly used. Place more broken tiles and broken bricks at the bottom of the pot to help with drainage and aeration. During the growing season, fertilize once every ten days, and a "Huiyou" 20-20-20 general-purpose fertilizer or 20-8-20 four-season high potassium nitrate fertilizer can be used.
4. Pruning
During the growing season, remove dead and yellow leaves at any time to keep the leaves fresh and emerald green. When grown in hanging pots, mist more, apply more foliar fertilizer and prune to adjust the plant's shape, and pay attention to ventilation.
5. Pest and Disease Control
When cultivated indoors, if ventilation is poor, it is easily harmed by aphids and red spiders. It can be controlled by spraying soapy water or a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate. When watering is excessive or air humidity is too high, the Boston fern is prone to physiological leaf blight. Note that the potting soil should not be too wet, and spray with a 600-fold dilution of 65% zineb wettable powder.