A kind neighbor gave me huge roots of these beautiful ferns today, about 15 big clumps. I have never transplanted ferns before, and was saddened at the way the fronds all bent down and slumped to the ground....Will they perk back up on their own? Should I cut the fronds off and let them start producing new ones? Thanks for any advice.
Are they in shade? They look like they might be in shock from transplanting...or sun.
they are in shade, the leaves are actually bent, not really drooped
They're probably in shock. Check them again tonight and then early in the morning to see if they perk up a bit. You might need to water them in the morning. In a few days, they'll probably start perking up more.
Just let them rest awhile. Give them a little fish emulsion. I think the new fronds that come out from the middle will be upright. You may have to cut the old fronds off later to tidy up the plant.
Thanks...I'll probably hit them with a little super thrive in the morning as well..
Ooohhh...they'll like that! Forgot to ask if you split up the clumps into tiny pieces. The photo looks like a very small "clump." You may have better luck leaving the clump intact until it acclimates to new surroundings...then divide it.
Looks like wood fern. Keep them damp for while and give them a weak fertilizer like suggested above.Those frond will probably not make it but they will come back next year from the rhizomes, if not this year. I have received several clumps from my aunt when she divides hers and often they disappear for the year.
I hit them with the Super Thrive and all ferns are doing well. I am going to trim off the bent leaves on a couple of plants today just to please my eye.....Thanks for all the help
