Learn how to care for a Boston Fern
When walking through a forest or an area with abundant vegetation, we tend to look at the treetops or the most striking plants around us. But if we look down we can also observe a universe of incredible varieties at ground level, which are essential for the functioning of the ecosystem. This type of plant has become increasingly popular as a decorative plant in the home.
The Boston fern, whose beauty is easy to maintain and how easy to purify the environment is, is an example of these species.
Would you like to know everything about Boston fern care?
Description, cultivation and care
The Boston fern belongs to the genus nephrolepsis, which in turn is part of the polypodiaceae family. Its technical name is nephrolepsis exaltata.
We are surely talking about the most popular variety of ferns for home cultivation. It stands out for its long branches, which emerge directly from the ground and are furrowed by a large number of small leaves on both sides. This causes shapes reminiscent of a spear or sword to curve downwards.
The green of its leaves is homogeneous, elegant and dark. Its growth occurs mainly on the horizontal axis.
It is estimated that within the family Polypodiaceae there are about 1700 different genera and up to 7000 different species. Ferns are a type of plant that lacks flower, fruit, and seed. They reproduce by spores, located on the underside of the leaves.
There are different varieties of fern used in everyday life. Many are mutations of the exaltata itself, although there are different species such as the oriental fern, which is larger and more resistant, or the eagle fern, which is invasive.
But let's go back to the Boston fern and talk about the kind of care it needs for its proper development!
How to Grow Boston Fern
This variety of fern is one of the most popular and colorful that usually adorns our terraces, living rooms and offices. It is very easy to grow and keep in perfect condition as long as it receives the right supply of nutrients, light and humidity.
- Location Ferns
like all other tropical and equatorial species, require certain light and humidity conditions to live and develop. Its perfect location both outdoors and indoors will be a shady corner, away from the direct action of the sun.
- Soil
Good drainage and a nutrient base are the main elements that the substrate must contain. A good base will be a mixture of peat moss with some coarse-grained sand. To facilitate the movement of water under the floor, it is advisable to place a gravel bed at the bottom of the pot.
- Light
The fern is a plant accustomed to living sheltered under large trees that provide them with a good amount of shade. These types of ferns are more resistant than others to sun exposure as long as they do not receive it directly. The perfect setting will be a partially or fully shaded area of the garden, or a well-lit room inside the house. The dark hue of its leaves allows the fern to better resist the incidence of light.
- Temperature
The perfect temperature for this fern to grow in optimal conditions inside the house will be between 18 and 25 degrees. Perhaps something better if we want to reproduce as faithfully as possible the conditions of its original habitat. Although it can withstand slight drops in temperature, or slight draughts, it is best to avoid them as much as possible.
Humidity
is the Boston- fern's
greatest ally. It's a good idea to sprinkle water on the leaves from time to time with the help of a sprayer.
It is also advisable to place a deep dish with pebbles and water under the pot, so that in hot weather, the water, when evaporated, humidifies the environment. Care must be taken not to overdo it, and to remove excess water from the dish so that the roots do not rot. As for watering, it will be enough to keep the substrate moist between one application and another.
- During
warmest times of the year (spring and summer), dilute a liquid fertilizer in the irrigation water once every two weeks. In autumn and winter it is not only not necessary, but even discouraged.
- Transplanting
This plant grows and develops at a high speed, which causes its dimensions to increase accordingly. For this reason, it is advisable to move it to a larger pot every year, so that its roots have adequate space. It is best to carry out this task in early spring.
The
appearance of dark spots on the surface of the leaves is probably due to the presence of fungi. These spots are usually caused by waterlogging or excess water at the base of the plant. To get rid of them, the affected areas will have to be removed and a specific chemical product will have to be applied.
- Cochineal Cochineal
is another parasite that attacks this plant. Its presence is detected by the appearance of small spots on the back of the leaves. The spots caused by the brown mealybug will be chewy in appearance and brown tones. In the case of mealybugs, they will be fluffy and whitish. To combat them, it is recommended to use a small cotton ball moistened with alcohol, or with a sponge and neutral soap in more severe cases.
Pruning is not something that lovers and connoisseurs of this plant have to do many times. What is very convenient is to remove the dry leaves, as they are one of the main means by which parasites arrive.
The Boston fern is a plant that, thanks to its beauty, instantly enhances any interior space while adding an exotic touch due to its unmistakable tropical appearance. In addition to its beauty, it is an excellent air purifier, capable of absorbing formaldehyde and other harmful substances typical of enclosed spaces.
What are you waiting for to give it the prominence it deserves in your home?