Watering ferns with care. Learn this special method to water ferns in a greenhouse and garden
Ferns do not like dry conditions and demand humid conditions. Avoid letting the fern dry out.
If you do not irrigate your ferns for a week, the rootstock will dry out, having the fronds wilting up and turning pale green or brown. Once the fern has become brown it will be next to impossible for the fern to ever recover, even after extensive irrigation.
Ferns tend to wither suddenly without warning and thus you should always check the compost to see if it is still moist. You can do this by poking you finger deep into the compost. If it is dry then add water immediately.
Avoid water logging
Do not over water the plant as this will result in water logging and make sure that surplus water is allowed to freely drain out of the pot. Water logging causes the roots to become oxygen deficient because the excess water will be blocking the compost pores and thus preventing any air from penetrating to the roots. The fern will not be able to breathe and will suffocate.
Special watering methods for the indoor ferns
A semi-automatic watering system using clay pegs:
This method is ideal for ferns because it will result in constant supply of water to the rootstock. A clay peg connected to a storage container with fertilizer and water solution is placed in each pot. The fern will suck up water from the soil and when it is finished it's topped op from the storage container via the permeable clay pegs.
Setting the storage container at different levels can be used as a method of regulating moisture in the compost. If the storage container is placed on the same level as the plant then this allows more moisture to enter the compost as compared to when the container is at a lower level.
Immersing
Ferns tat are in wicker baskets and those growing in small epiphyte trucks can be immersed in a water bath and this allows the root stock to absorb plenty of water. When air bubbles stop rising to the surface then remove the plant from the water bath. Live excess water to run away into the wash basin for about 20 minutes.
Fertilizing
Ferns that are in pots consume nutrients rapidly and they need supplements in the form of fertilizer. Regular fertilizing is necessary for the ferns to receive all the essential nutrients and trace elements.
Suitable fertilizers for indoor ferns
The main nutrients required by indoor ferns are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous(P), Potassium (K) , Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca) and Sulphur (S). A liquid multi-nutrient compound fertilizer is ideal for indoor ferns. Fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 8:8:6 is perfect for the indoor ferns and this information is available on the fertilizer packet.
Controlled release fertilizers which are much simpler to use and are time saving can be applied. They release nutrients slowly into the compost and over extended periods of time. They also ensure that the mineral salt concentration does not rise too quickly.
How to fertilize correctly.
A fertilizer does for ferns should be kept at a minimum. Apply half the recommended amount of liquid fertilizer. Use 0,05g of fertilizer per liter of water. Liquid fertilizer can be added to the regular irrigation water or alternatively be added to the water bath used when immersing the plant. It is also quiet common to spray the plant with water that has liquid fertilizer.
Add fertilizer after every 2 weeks.