When cooler climate arrives within the fall, I’m normally making ready a spot indoors for my tropical vegetation. Amongst my philodendron, pothos, and a few cacti, it’s time to deliver Boston fern inside. There’s a routine I comply with to make sure the circumstances inside are ripe for a contented dormancy, although.
The method of getting your fern prepared for a switch from outside to indoor circumstances can begin as quickly because the summer season climate dips. Ideally, you’ve ready the plant and the indoor location by the point temperatures constantly dip beneath 50°F (10°C).
It may be so simple as bringing the plant indoors as quickly as nighttime temperatures are in that vary. Nevertheless, you’ll make the transition and the winter sojourn a lot smoother by caring for a number of issues forward of that point. Most of the duties that make for the perfect transition are good practices for all vegetation that come inside for winter.
Caring for Boston Ferns
Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’ is a spore-producing fern that comes from South America, the Caribbean, and Central America. There, it subsists on a constantly moist soil and brilliant oblique gentle on the humid forest ground. It’s a big fern that reaches as much as seven toes tall, making it a stately specimen for dwelling gardens and indoor ones alike.
Exterior its native vary, this fern is often planted within the floor in frost-free areas, or located in hanging baskets or massive planters elsewhere. The best temperature vary for this plant is between 65 and 75°F (18-24°C), with a warmth tolerance as much as 95°F (35°C). Indoors, the fern is likely one of the finest for good air high quality.
Its chilly tolerance is restricted, and when temperatures are constantly within the 50s (round 10°C), it’s near time to deliver Boston fern inside. Because the 40s (about 4°C) arrive, the fern received’t tolerate the coolness. Fortunately, indoor temperatures are proper within the ultimate vary for this magnificence. And it’s not that onerous in lots of properties to discover a spot with the brilliant, oblique gentle it wants.
Examine for Pests
The very first thing to do earlier than you deliver Boston fern inside is to verify its lengthy fronds for insect pests and ailments. Simple-to-spot bugs embody cutworms, which curl right into a C-shape when disturbed. Hand-pick these and throw them on a close-by host weed, or in a container of soapy water.
Mealybugs and different scale bugs are avid pests of vegetation each in and outside. It’s very important to take away them earlier than inserting them in an space the place your fern might be, particularly if different vegetation are round.
Fungus gnats are a standard indoor drawback. Because it’s unlikely you’ll deliver them in, arrange traps indoors to make sure they don’t land in your Boston fern’s soil and lay eggs. Yellow sticky traps or vinegar traps are each efficient.
Lastly, verify the bottom of your fern for any browning and mushiness. Should you see indicators of root rot, like a mushy crown or waxy, browned, and drooping fronds, repot your fern in contemporary potting media, eradicating any rotted roots.
Clear Your Fern
When your fern is outside, its fronds tackle mud and a few decline as they age. Earlier than you deliver Boston fern inside, wipe down the plant with a cotton swab soaked in 70% or much less alcohol. Make sure you wipe all the plant, together with leaves and stems.
Prune any yellowed fronds, however don’t prune away any wholesome, inexperienced ones. Whereas some pruning is ok in your fern, extreme pruning may cause issues. After you wipe it down and prune it, make sure the pot you’re shifting is clear as effectively. Wipe off its sides and backside.
This half isn’t utterly vital, however it would guarantee any pests you missed are taken care of, and it retains the plant clear by way of the winter.
Discover a Good Location
Earlier than you deliver Boston fern inside, you want the absolute best location for it to nestle in by way of winter. Discover an space offset from a window by no less than a foot. You need a spot that has brilliant, oblique gentle. Direct daylight will scorch the fern’s delicate fronds.
Boston ferns love humidity. In case you have room in your lavatory, and there’s sufficient gentle, discover a place for it there. A room the place a humidifier is current additionally works. You need your indoor location to be simply accessible, as you’ll nonetheless have to care in your fern by way of winter, although it is going to be dormant.
Should you’re bringing it into your own home, slightly than a greenhouse or storage, discover a rolling base to put your fern on. One which doesn’t have perforations within the base ensures the water is caught inside slightly than operating out of the underside once you irrigate.
Keep away from areas the place heating and cooling vents are close by. These are drying and might trigger the soil to dry out rapidly, inflicting brittle and browned fronds.
Harden It Off
Simply as it’s a must to harden off your seedlings earlier than you plant them out, give your fern just a little time to regulate to circumstances indoors. Transfer it towards the home as temperatures begin to drop. Then transfer it indoors a few weeks earlier than the 40s arrive.
Should you’re shifting it in earlier than it’s utterly dormant, be ready to take care of it simply as you’ll outside. Give it the conventional quantity of water, however don’t fertilize, as quickly the fern might be unable to soak up the vitamins the fertilizer gives.
Earlier than you deliver Boston fern inside, give it a gradual transition.
Hold It Wholesome
Despite the fact that your fern might be dormant throughout winter, that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to utterly set it and neglect it. After you deliver Boston fern inside, preserve watering and caring for it. Your routine received’t be as demanding, and also you received’t have to fertilize.
As a substitute, give attention to holding the highest layer of soil moist. Don’t overwater, however make sure the soil is moist all the way down to your second knuckle. Regulate any potential indoor pests. Should you missed any, deal with them with insecticidal cleaning soap and wipe them off.
Winter isn’t the perfect time to repot your fern, but when it exhibits indicators of root rot, repot it in contemporary media. Take away broken roots within the course of. If it takes on a gray coloration, you should water extra. If fronds are droopy, transfer it nearer to a lightweight supply.
Hold humidity up by utilizing a humidifier or spritzing the fronds with distilled water on daily basis. Except it’s in a rest room or a room with a humidifier, this can be a necessity.
Propagate New Ferns
As soon as spring hits, you’ll be able to plant extra ferns! As soon as the daytime temperature reaches no less than 65°F (18°C), you’ll be able to divide your fern, repotting the sections into new containers. These are nice presents for different areas of the backyard or for buddies.
After all, this job happens effectively after you deliver Boston fern inside, and after winter has handed. You don’t need to divide the fern and repot it when it’s dormant. As a substitute, look ahead to the heat of spring.