Australian Sword Fern 'Kimberly Queen' (Nephrolepis obliterata)

Australian Sword Fern 'Kimberly Queen'
Nephrolepis obliterata

Wingnut...my husband just brought home 2 of these ferns from a Wally world close out. They are in excellent condition, but both plants have fronds coming out of the pot drainage holes. Any advice on how to handle them? Should I just pull the plants out of their original pots discarding the new shoots, or should the shoots be seperated from the mother plant to (hopefully) start new plants?

TIA
~julie~

Julie, mine had some small (1" across and still coiled) new shoots growing on the sides of the rootball when I repotted. I tried removing some and growing them in a separate pot, but they didn't take. I don't know if it's because I didn't water them enough or because they just can't survive that until older.

But it sure didn't affect the main clumps! They're growing like crazy as long as I keep them well watered. I'd suggest you doing that and seeing if you have better luck than I did. I'd think that the ones on the bottom wouldn't survive anyway once you repotted them, so what have you got to lose, right?

Good luck! And let me know if you are successful, would you? I'd LOVE to propagate these from the small shoots if I can. They're beautiful plants. I just love them!

Wingnut...my 'shoots' are probably about 8-10" long...maybe if I make sure they have a good size chunk of root attached when I remove them, AND if I follow your advice and keep them pampered with lots of water and TLC, like you said, what have we got to lose? :-D

I'm like you, I love these plants...and maybe now that I have more time to watch over them, I can be successful in growing them.

Thanks so much for your quick reply. It's very much appreciated.
~julie~
P.S. I'll stay in touch. ;-)

Cool! If they're that big, I'll bet they'll make it. Especially if you take a good chunk of roots. You're sure welcome for the help. I wouldn't be able to pass on the help if others hadn't helped me before. :)

Please tell me if this is an sword fern. I found it by the side of the road across from my house. It was a pitiful site, but I brought it into my hospital area and cared for it and it rewarded my by coming back to life...I have propagated it by taking pieces like you guys spoke of and also if you really want it to go, just plant a piece of it in the yard...It will send out root runners and new plants will appear like magic....I have lots of this year babies that are getting big... It looks the same to me...

Beautiful plant shirleyt!

I in NW Illinois and just bought 3 LARGE Australian Sword Ferns from Home Depot this afternoon. They are beautiful and for $6.99 a piece, I couldn't pass them up.

Julie88, I see your in WI. I was wondering if you bring your fern in for the winter?

Im a fern noobie and was actually surprised they are perennials.. just when I thought I knew everything..duh! haha..

The tag says hardiness to 20F which makes me a bit nervous since it will get -20 at times here.. I plan to plant my ferns under a large Red Maple and have no room for them in the house to overwinter soooo.. do I cut them back in the fall and cover them with plenty of mulch? or should I mulch and cover them with one of those Styrofoam cones?

I will continue to research (thank goodness for the internet) as I would hate to lose these beauty's. Im just wondering what your experience has been..thank you!

oh geez...I just noticed your posts are quite old...I hope all is well =)