Ferns enhancing my patio area.

Ferns:

Ferns are one of my favourites, coming from New Zealand where the climate suits these type of plants I grew to enjoy them as they were everywhere you go.

New Zealand’s climate is the key to successful Fern growing, regular rain and a tepid climate, create this environment and Ferns pretty much look after themselves. The key is not to over water your Ferns, if you go into the bush you will never see them growing in swamps but always on the edge of those swamps. They love humidity not wet feet, regular spraying of the leaves with water helps them immensely particularly is you are growing them in a dry environment like an air-conditioned room. If grown in pots make sure you have a large tray under them with some stones that hold the excess water, this creates humidity around the plant as it evaporates. I have several Ferns outside in pots on the patio, when it starts to get hot I will hose the concrete down, the water in the concrete then evaporates over a few days keep them cool and creating that critical humidity.

Sunlight is the next critical element, in this case not too much of it, Ferns will burn very quickly if exposed to too much direct sunlight. Speckled light is best or no direct light at all but reflected light off a wall etc. Again if in direct light they will get too hot and dehydrate leading to their almost certain demise.  If you have a dense canopy of trees then this can be the ideal spot to plant some ferns as it creates the ideal dappled light high humidity scenario.

The soil or potting mix needs plenty of humus, something that will hold moisture without getting saturated. In the ground add plenty of compost and mulch to create the ideal soil type and in pots add compost to your standard mix at about 25% compost 75% potting mix. In their natural environment ferns grow under the canopy of trees with the leaf litter constantly breaking down and adding organic content to the soil, this means the soil has a very high humus content.

In the ground always mulch the soil to mimic the Ferns natural conditions, this also protects the roots from drying out if you do live in a warm climate. In pots add some compost to the top of the pot every few months and water it in.

Fertilising your ferns consists of liquid fish and or seaweed, nothing artificial as it can burn their roots.  They don’t need to be fed any more than once a month, every two or three months in colder weather will do. They aren’t gross feeders so ere on the side of caution. Spraying the leaves regularly with a weak liquid fish or seaweed fertiliser helps to keep them topped up.

Ferns are a great plant that doesn’t require a lot of attention and given the right conditions will provide you with a great visual delight for years.

Be Happy,

Barry

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