Creating a tropical rainforest using indoor ferns
Ferns are not difficult plants to grow indoors. All that is required is to create conditions that are similar to the tropical rainforests the ferns originated from. Once the ferns are in position they will quickly flourish indoors creating a mini-tropical forest in your garden, balcony or patio. Ferns are very strong plants and they tend to grow well not requiring that much attention.
Indoor ferns need to be irrigated, fertilized and repotted. It's a good idea to spray the ferns with mist to increase humidity. Ferns are generally much easier to look after when compared to other flower producing plants that require regular deadheading, pruning and training.
There is no need to bother yourself with trying to always maintain a specific temperature because ferns love the day-night temperature fluctuations.
Ferns will do well in a greenhouse, on an enclosed plant window or on a closed glass case.
Watering indoor ferns
Drinking water from the houses' main supply contains a lot of substances some which are very useful while others are very harmful. The quality of water will be determined by its hardness, mineral salts content and presence of harmful substances.
Water hardness
Avoid watering your indoor ferns with water that is too hard. Hardness is measured by the amount of calcium and magnesium salts in the water. Medium hard water is around 15 degrees Clark . Another method is to measure the carbonate hardness of the water. Carbon causes the Ph value to rise in the soil when you irrigate. When this happens nutrients will not be easily absorbed by the plant.
How can I obtain softer water for my ferns?
1. collect rain water
2. apply softening agents in the water. Softening agents can be purchased in liquid or powder form
3. use watering canes that have special filter fixtures
NB: Water that is softened using softening agents can also cause problems for the ferns. It usually does not have enough calcium and magnesium ions and has too much potassium (from the agents) which will damage the plants. Mix softened water with natural rainwater or main water. Also water the fern with softened water and then late with mains water. The harder the main water the more softened water you will require.
Total mineral salt content
Ferns are very sensitive to salt and thus avoid irrigating the ferns with water that has a very high salt content. Water that have negative properties such as sodium and chloride
In high amounts will retard the growth of the fern. Ask the local authorities how hard the water is. Water should have a sodium and chloride content of 50 and 52 mg/liter respectively.