Master the Adiantum growing method and enrich your gardening life
Adiantum, of the family Adiantaceae, is a perennial herb 0.1-0.6 m tall. Because its stems are slender and its color resembles iron wire, it is called Adiantum (maidenhair fern). This is a common potted plant; do you know how to grow it? Below, the editor will introduce the growing method of Adiantum.
Adiantum growing methods
1. Adiantum likes a moist environment. During the peak growing season, water it thoroughly. Besides keeping the potting soil moist, also pay attention to relatively high air humidity; when the air is dry, sprinkle water around the plant. Especially in summer, water 1-2 times a day; if it lacks water, the leaves will shrivel. Avoid watering so that the potting soil alternates between dry and wet, which easily turns the leaves yellow.
2. Adiantum likes loose, well-drained, fertile calcareous sandy loam. For potting, the growing medium can be made by mixing equal parts loam, leaf mold and river sand.
3. It likes warmth and is also cold-tolerant. The suitable growing temperature is 21-25°C during the day and 12-15°C at night. In winter it should be moved into a greenhouse; at temperatures above 5°C the leaves can still remain fresh green, but below 5°C the leaves will suffer cold damage.
4. It likes bright indirect light and fears direct sun. If the light is too strong, the leaves turn withered and yellow or even die. In summer, shade it appropriately; long periods of strong direct light will cause most of the leaves to turn withered and yellow. Indoors, it should be placed in a shaded spot; even if placed there for 1 year, it can still grow normally.
5. Potted Adiantum often suffers from leaf blight. In the early stage, Bordeaux mixture can be used for control; in severe cases, 70% thiophanate-methyl at 1000-1500 times dilution can be used. If scale insects harm the plant, 40% omethoate at 1000 times dilution can be used for control.
6. After autumn begins, as the temperature drops, Adiantum enters a slow-growth stage, and the old leaves gradually turn yellow; at this time they should be cut off.
7. Apply dilute liquid fertilizer 2-3 times a month. When fertilizing, do not splash it on the leaf surface, so as to avoid rotting leaves. Because Adiantum likes calcium, a suitable amount of lime and crushed eggshells should be added to the potting soil; regularly applying calcium fertilizer will give better results. In winter, reduce watering and stop fertilizing.
Adiantum has elegant and varied stems and leaves, beautiful form and a compact plant shape, making it most suitable for small pot cultivation in the office. It can serve as a small ornament to beautify the environment and also greening the environment, making people feel cheerful.