This is from a my fern which is over 20 years old. It's looking nasty. I've tried many things, but none have stopped some of the leaves getting yucky. It's growing well, just looks bad.
Thanks,
Hap
What's Wrong
Looks like it got hit by the cold.
No, unfortunately it has been this way for over a year and no matter what I put on it, there is no change. But thanks anyway.
If not the cold, I'd bet something happened to increase the amount of direct sunlight it gets and/or the amount of moisture available to it.
Have you by chance pruned ot removed another plant that once shaded it, even for part of the day? Have you put in or seen nearby plants grow in locations which might be intercepting the fern's water supply? Have you repaired a gutter that once regularly dripped on or near the plant?
Any of these would be a simple explanation --in my experience, ferns are not that susceptible to insect pests in the first place, it's not responded to your treatment for that, and the pattern of damage at the extremities looks like cold-effect or dessication.
This message was edited Feb 14, 2010 12:33 PM
JP, It has lived in it's present location for at least 10 years in our lanai. I did, about 5 months ago, well after symptoms appeared put a drip line in so it gets more water than before, but the leaves have not changed, it's just gotten bushier.
I have no idea what I put in, but I can't take it out. LOL Will try again.
Hap
Second try.
This is in 2006. This is where it lives.
Hap
I will try to think like our friend "tapla" here. Perhaps the soil has slowly "collapsed" over time, meaning that the organic materials therein have decayed and broken down to the point where the soil has become virtually a solid mass (wet or dry) and therefore does not allow the fern to take in oxygen and other nutrients adequately.
Many ferns come in soil mix that's pre-disposed to break down.
It might be worth trying this:
- gather the leaves upwards and tie loosely together
- pull the fern from its pot and lay it on its side
- with a hose set on sharp spray, medium strength, wash the soil gently from the root mass, rolling the plant to get all sides and especially the bottom
- prepare a small batch of new soil mix such as tapla recommends (see end of first item here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1073399/ )
- put some of the mix in the bottom of the old pot (or better yet, in a slightly larger new pot) and wet it thoroughly; make sure it drains well
- gently put the fern in the pot and carefully wash more of the soil mix down around the sides; this may require squirting it down in with the sharp stream; the idea is not to leave gaps deep in the soil
- once you've filled the new pot, let it drain well and provide it a moderate dosage of good fern food at the next watering
Since this is a lot of work for only one plant, you might wait until you need to repot several and do it then.
Bet you are right JP. It will take, 'three men and a boy' to do it! LOL The poor baby is probably trying to grow in cement.
Read the link you gave me and that's a great start.
Thanks so much.
Hap
Don't forget a wick. I think for a plant that size I would probably put in 2 or even 3. Also, I would make sure the roots are not circling the pot. It does not hurt to cut some off. I believe that is better for a plant than re-potting them with their roots all balled up tight.
Thanks, Jnette. I agree on the roots.
Too many irons in the fire of late, so it still sitting all bound up. I so believe that this is the problem, but can't do it by myself and will have to corner my DH.
What do you mean by a wick?
Hap
hi hap,
when the edges of a leaf burn like yours and you've ruled out all the other suspects (cold, etc.) i would think nutrient deficiency (i think it's potassium in this case) so i agree with the others about re-doing the whole pot. it's a beautiful fern!
Thanks, tracks.
In JP's post he/she referred to "Tapla"'s post on container growing. In that post, Tapla talked about when planting large containers to put wicks in so the pots can, not only wick up water to the entire plant/pot, but to drain water away too I believe. Whichever, I think it works both ways.
Anyway, I believe that is a terribly important thing because many times I have thought a plant was getting water, only to take it out of the pot and the bottom soil was soggy and the top where the roots were was dry.
AHHHH. This pot will be on my sprinkler system and will be raised from the ground. Now I know the wicks that you are talking about. I use them when a plant is in a saucer or whatever.
Thanks.
Hap
If that is the picture of it in 2006, then I'll bet it would really benefit from being divided when you freshen the soil. I don't know that fern but bostons and such are easy to divide and just take off like mad when they get the new soil. Look up info on it if you can and get at least one more pot as big and enjoy 2 beauties (or more)
Thanks 3j.
Hap
An alternative explanation is build up of mineral salts. Some water contains lots of minerals which stay in the potting soil when water evaporates. This doesn't all flush out with subsequent waterings and slowly builds up. The effects of that can also look like leaf burn. The solution is to repot with fresh soil.
That is probably it. Have to have my DH in on this bad boy!
Hap