Rules for planting and caring for a fern in the garden, agricultural technology and growing secrets
Planting and caring for ferns in the garden is of interest to many gardeners. First of all, it is recommended to choose the right variety of this plant. Compliance with the rules of care is also important. To achieve optimal results, it is important to water the crop in a timely manner, loosen and weed the soil, and protect the bushes from diseases and pests. It is also worth following the rules of transplanting culture.
Description and characteristics of the plant
It is a perennial herbaceous plant that has many varieties. It can be a forest or a garden. Crops vary in size. So, there are small bushes 30 centimeters high, and taller plants 0.8-1.5 meters.Fern is characterized by a developed root system and dense stems.Leaf plates emerge from root buds. The seeds of the plant, called spores, ripen on it.
Popular varieties
In order to successfully grow a fern in the garden, it is worth choosing the right type of this plant.
female kochedyzhnik
This culture is characterized by dissected leaves that form bundles. Under natural conditions, it grows in swamps, forming mounds. The height is determined by the type of cultivation and can reach 30-70 centimeters. The roots of the bush are short and thick.
ordinary Orlyak
This plant reaches 70 centimeters in height. It grows well in dry soil, which contains a small amount of nutrients. Culture is characterized by long horizontal leaves resembling eagle wings. The plant contains toxic substances, therefore it is dangerous for pets. In addition, for humans, this type of fern is absolutely harmless.
male shield worm
Under natural conditions, the culture grows in the shade and reaches 0.3-1.5 meters. On the sordid side of the leaves, pores that look like a shield accumulate.
common ostrich
This culture is distinguished by feathery leaves that resemble the openwork pattern of ostrich feathers. They can measure up to 1.5 meters. With the onset of spring, the leaves become like a rolled up cocoon. Then they bloom and look like a luxurious cone. A vertical root system requires systematic loosening and mulching.
Asplenium
The culture is popularly called Kostenets. Most Aspleniums need heat. However, there are also frost-resistant crops that can withstand temperatures down to -18 degrees.
nested asplenium
This plant is able to grow even without soil, since in natural conditions it takes root on leaves and trunks. The culture reaches 1 meter in height. In flower shops you can find its dwarf species.
Onion Asplenium
It is a deciduous fern native to New Zealand. It is allowed to grow it in the garden. In this case, it is recommended to cover the root system with dry leaves. Also, the bush can be dug up and stored in the cellar until the onset of spring. The plant reaches 60 centimeters in length.
How to choose and prepare a place
To successfully grow a crop, it is recommended to choose the right site for planting it.
Lighting
The culture normally grows in shady places. At the same time, a prolonged absence of light negatively affects the condition of the leaves. They become yellow and dull. This does not harm the culture, but causes a deterioration in its decorative properties.
Diffused sunlight is considered the best option for a fern. In this case, it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight.
Ground requirements
Ferns need loose soil that absorbs moisture well. To avoid stagnation of moisture and the development of putrefactive processes in the roots, river sand will be required. The excavated soil should be mixed with peat and sand. In this case, it is recommended to maintain a ratio of 2: 2: 1.
Breeding methods
There are many methods of raising ferns, each with specific characteristics.
Disputes and division
Reproduction by spores is considered a rather complex and laborious method. To do this, in the fall you need to cut the ripe spores with leaves and place them in January in a special substrate.To prepare it, it is worth mixing peat, leafy earth and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
It is recommended to place the spores on top and moisten with a spray bottle. Cover the container with glass. Germination can be expected 2 months after planting.
When breeding varieties with long rhizomes, it is enough in early spring to cut an adult plant into 2 parts. If there is no risk of recurrent frosts, the crop should be planted in open ground. In this way, fern, ostrich and other plants can be propagated.
rhizome mustache
This method is not used for all species of ferns. So, neurolepis cordial has a mustache, which is in the form of aerial processes. They can be buried in the ground and well watered. Thanks to this, it will be possible to acquire a new culture.
brood buds
This method is considered the longest and least productive. For planting, it is worth separating the tops of the leaves and placing them in peat or moss. They need to be hydrated every day. Once the buds have rooted, they can be transplanted to a permanent location.
Bushes ready
This is the easiest and most popular method. To do this, it is enough to find a suitable bush in the forest and dig it up. In this case, it is important to wrap the roots with soil so that they do not dry out during transport. It is recommended to moisten the plant a little. At home, it needs to be divided and planted on a permanent site.
Scheme of planting in the ground
Before carrying out planting work, the size of the plant should be assessed. With that in mind, prepare a hole.For tall varieties, its diameter should be 50 centimeters, and its depth at least 40. It is recommended to fill the depression with the same soil in which the bush grew before transplanting. This greatly facilitates adaptation.
If the finished plant was purchased from a nursery, then it is worth adding peat when planting in a recess. However, it is not recommended to use too much fertilizer. After the planting work is completed, the soil is mulched with grass clippings or sawdust. This helps prevent moisture loss.
Maintenance Features
In order for a plant to develop normally, it must receive comprehensive and high-quality care.
watering mode
When growing a fern in the garden, it is worth monitoring the rapid moistening of the soil. Watering should be regular. It is carried out every 5-7 days. With the onset of autumn, the frequency of watering is reduced, since at this time the plant does not need a large amount of moisture. Excess liquid causes stagnation of water, which leads to rotting of the root system.
When watering, it should be borne in mind that not only the root system of the culture needs liquid, but also its leaves. Therefore, it is so important to spray the whole plant.
Prepare for winter
Forest fern does not need special preparation for the winter. When growing a thermophilic culture in an area with a harsh climate, certain recommendations will be required. In late autumn, the culture should be covered with old leaves, peat or spruce branches. Usually only certain varieties need insulation - mnogoryadnik, kochedyzhnik, maidenhair.
Loosening and weeding
It is recommended to loosen the soil periodically.This will help supply the root system with oxygen and nutrients. The rapid elimination of weeds is not insignificant.
Transfer
It is recommended to move the fern in the spring. However, sometimes this procedure is allowed to be carried out at other times - for example, in the summer. The bush must be dug up very carefully so as not to damage the root system. There should be plenty of soil on the roots. After transplanting, the culture should be watered with high quality. It is important to take into account that the soil always settles. Therefore, a shallow hole is needed for cultivation.
It is recommended to put a plant in it and correct its position. The top of the fern should be level with the ground. Then the plant should be watered abundantly and immediately covered with soil. This will help to avoid the appearance of an air hole and strengthen the root system with the earth.
Diseases and pests
The fern rarely encounters disease. They usually develop when the rules for caring for the plant are violated or when weeds are actively growing on the site.
fungal infection
When a fern is infected with fungi, the leaves turn yellow. Over time, they turn brown and die. There is also a risk of dark coating on the back of the leaves or damage to the midribs. In such a situation, the plant will need to be removed and the infected soil will need to be dug up and discarded.
In simple cases, it is enough to treat the culture with chemicals - fungicides. In this case, it is recommended to tear off and burn the dry and diseased leaves. Subsequently, the culture must be properly watered and loosened.
Bacterial infection
When a bacterial infection develops, fern leaves become covered with brown or rusty spots. There is also a risk of formation of pinpoint or concentric marks or watery formations. When such problems appear, the affected areas should be immediately cut and burned.
The adjustment of the irrigation regime is not negligible.
Shield
When these insects attack, brown shields appear on the leaves. Parasites accumulate under them. Leaf fall can also be noticed. To cope with the problem, pests must be removed with a brush. After that, it is recommended to treat the culture with soapy water. Infusions of garlic or walnut leaves are considered effective remedies.
cochineal
When a bush is infected with these pests, the leaves are covered with a cotton-like bloom. Mealybug females accumulate underneath. Parasites are localized on the petioles, flowers, leaves, trunk. They are often found in the leaf axils.
To deal with the problem, it is recommended to cut and burn the damaged areas and remove the top layer of soil.
Aphid
When a plant is infected with aphids, fern leaves become sticky and deformed. The pests are usually located on the soiled side of the leaves and accumulate in the axils. They can be of different colors - green, pink, black. When a crop is infected, the insects absorb all the juices from the plant. As a result, it loses its decorative properties. In this case, the leaves become deformed and die. In addition, aphids lead to the spread of viral infections.
To cope with pests, the plant should be wiped with soapy water and treated with a solution of Chlorophos in a concentration of 3%.Among the folk remedies, you can use an infusion of tobacco or ash. In case of severe damage, the plant must be cut at the root. In most cases, the fern sprouts new growth and recovers over time.
Common Growing Mistakes
When growing a fern in the country, many gardeners make common mistakes that negatively affect the development of culture:
- Choose the wrong soil for the plant.
- Violating the watering regime.
- Do not house heat-loving crop varieties for the winter.
- Do not carry out preventive treatments against diseases and pests.
- They do not loosen the soil or remove weeds.
Tips & Tricks
For the fern to develop fully, it must be well cared for:
- water on time;
- loosen the soil;
- remove weeds;
- follow the rules for transplanting plants;
- carry out treatments against diseases and pests.
Fern is considered an unpretentious plant that has excellent decorative properties. Today there are many varieties of culture that can be planted in the garden. To successfully grow a plant, it is necessary to provide it with high-quality and comprehensive care.