Some of our ferns, which were doing well until 2 days ago, are now sick!
The fronds are shrivelling up and turning brown. So far, others (in a
different location) are doing well. Any ideas?
Bill Cosburn
> Some of our ferns, which were doing well until 2 days ago, are now
> sick! The fronds are shrivelling up and turning brown. So far,
> others (in a different location) are doing well. Any ideas?
I don't know what type yours are (or what type mine are for that
matter) I know very little about ferns...this being my first year
with them...but I've found that they need ALOT of water.
I got mine from my mom's place...which were situated in behind the
house, under a tree canopy. They get all kinds of moisture build up and there is a
wonderful natural mulch in place. They are rather large, about 3 1/2
4 feet feet....but that is really their only distinguishing feature.
I'm going to move mine next spring to a spot that gets more moisture
retention. I just hope they make it in the mean time. I'm always
having to water them...I usually stick a hose, trickle drip, in
amongst them....about once a week. The spot I'm thinking of moving
them to is right in front of where I have our outdoor faucet...it
gets a goodly amount of moisture, and moss grows all around the area.
My Mom's are lush and beautiful...I think they are the remnants
of an old garden from the turn of the century when my Great, great
Aunt Mary owned the house.
Good luck...I wish I could be of more help.
Paula Zone 6b S.W.ontario
"The wise man can pick up a grain of sand and envision a whole universe. But the stupid
man will just lay down on some seaweed and roll around in it until he's completely draped in
it. Then he'll stand up and go 'Hey, I'm Vine Man."
- Jack Handey
On Fri, 31 Jul 1998 20:50:12 -0400, Bill Cosburn
> The fronds are shrivelling up and turning brown. So far, others (in a
> different location) are doing well. Any ideas?
Did you spray anything new on them? How about your neighbor? Ferns are
supposed to be real sensitive to anything that gets on them.
--
Magda Plewinska mplewinska@mindspring.com
Miami, FL, USA
Nothing sprayed on the ferns by myself or neighbour. I spoke to a master
gardener who says it is most likely moisture competition from the large
maple tree which shades the ferns. Solution is water frequently!.
Thought I was, but we haven't had rain for a week and I guess my
watering has not been enough.
Bill
Hi Bill,
Getting caught up from not reading on the weekend. I was going to mention
water to you. When we had our drought a few years ago all of my ferns
turned brown in late July. They came back just fine the next year so it
appears it is just part of their normal dormancy cycle and they can go into
it earlier if conditions require it.
Esther
Hello Bill,
`If this has been mention and I missed it in previous messages.....
Organic mulch is very important to ferns. It helps to both hold the
moisture level consistent and keep the roots a bit more cool. Make sure
ferns have some chopped leaves or something similar over their root zones.
Helps to prevent the brown-out during spells of dry and hot. If they are
competing with Maples then they could also use highly organic acidic soil
if you can make that happen. Once the ferns have been in place for a few
years they generally do not react so quickly to the dry and they have a
root system to support them through times of dry. See it happen in the
woods all the time.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
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