How to propagate the Boston fern
Let's take a look at the experience of green plant maintenance concerning how to propagate the Boston fern and its cultivation methods!
Boston fern aliases — Nephrolepis, sword fern, walking fern, stone yellow skin. Native origin: Originally from tropical and subtropical regions, it is also distributed in various southern provinces of China. Here is a detailed introduction:
1. Soil selection: The Boston fern has a strong adaptability, can tolerate barrenness, but grows best in loose, fertile, humus-rich, well-ventilated, and well-drained neutral or slightly acidic soil.
2. Cultivation: ① Carefully divide the mother plant, separate the creeping stems and plant them separately, with 2-4 clusters of creeping stems per pot.
② Place several small pieces of tile and brick at the bottom of the pot.
③ After planting, immediately water and place in a semi-shaded area to care for, keeping the potting soil moist to promote rapid recovery and growth.
④ When new leaves sprout from the rhizome, place it under a shade net for care.
⑤ The Boston fern grows relatively quickly, usually requiring pot replacement every 1-2 years, often done in spring.
3. Watering: ① The Boston fern has strict requirements for water, prefers moist soil and higher air humidity, the potting soil should not be too wet or too dry, maintaining a moist state is sufficient.
② Water thoroughly in spring and autumn to keep the potting soil moist.
③ In summer, water 1-2 times a day and frequently spray water on the leaf surface and around the plant, especially for hanging plants.
④ In winter, moderately control the water to keep the potting soil slightly moist.
4. Temperature: The Boston fern prefers warmth and cannot withstand cold. The suitable growth temperature from March to September is 15-25°C, and from September to the following March is 13-15°C. In winter, move the plant indoors to overwinter with a temperature of 10-15°C.
5. Light: The Boston fern prefers a semi-shaded environment and can grow well under sufficient scattered light. Avoid direct sunlight but also do not place it in overly dark areas for care.
6. Fertilizing: The Boston fern requires a small amount of fertilizer, applying a low-concentration, well-rotted cake fertilizer once or twice a month during the growing season, and be careful not to use fast-acting chemical fertilizers. From April to September, apply a liquid fertilizer for ornamental foliage plants every 15 days to make the leaves greener and more glossy.
7. Propagation: The Boston fern is often propagated by division, which can be done throughout the year, with May to June being the best time when the atmospheric temperature is stable.
8. Pruning: During the growing season, prune the dried, yellowed, damaged, and old leaves as needed to enhance air circulation, maintain the freshness of the leaves, and the beautiful plant form.
9. Disease and pest control: ① The Boston fern is prone to physiological leaf blight, which can be treated with a 65% zinc omadine wettable powder at a concentration of 600 times. Also, avoid overly moist potting soil.
② When planted indoors with poor ventilation, the plant is susceptible to red spider and scale insect infestations, which can be controlled by spraying with soapy water or 40% omethoate emulsion at a concentration of 1000 times.
The above is a detailed explanation of how to propagate the Boston fern and its cultivation methods, for your reference and suggestions!