Transplanting a Ming Fern

I just repotted my Ming Fern, Asparagus retrofractus, also called Asparagus macowanii. It was planted in a small porcelain container and deperately needed repotting. I had a really hard time getting it out of its current container, and when I finally did, it was a huge tangled mass of swollen, fleshy roots. So many were broken that I just cut them off and repotted. I think I lost about half the roots. I had no idea that the roots of this plant were so massive.

Does anyone know if this plant suffers from transplant shock or have experience repotting this one?

My hands are all torn up from the thorns; I never remember to wear gloves!

Thanks for your help.

Good AM...

Anytime you transplant something is it good to take off of the old roots and clip the top so they are about even.

Then, on a personal note...............anything that bites does not get into my garden!!! At my age, I had enough that has bitten me, I don't need plants doing it too!

Nancy Lee

Hello Clare, I thought you posted here. I transplanted mine from a big pot to inground (shade) and process was uneventful though a little painful LOL. The only branches that I lost were the ones I deliberately cut for topiary look. I just lightly rearranged rootball. And as far as the puffy roots, I planted them in a 2" hole and lightly covered but none came back. As you probably know this plants grow fast, so I wasn't concerned the little ones didn't make it.

Still, I am watching it closely because I suspect that inground this one might spread like the common asparagus. I don't want that.

Hi Vossner! Good to see you here! I lost a branch which got broken in the whole process, but that was just one branch of about 8. I am just worried that I broke and removed too many of the thick fleshy roots.

I couldn't find much online about this plant, and I think it actually goes by another name of Asparagus retrofractus. The tops of the branches look a little droopy today, and I misted them with Superthrive, but I don't want to cut them because that will ruin their natural shape which I like. I guess time will tell, but right now, I have transplanter remorse! I'm glad to hear that your transplant was uneventful but am sorry that it was a little painful! I had to dig the tips of the thorns out of my hands last night with a needle. When will learn to wear gloves? LOL!

I don't think yours will spread like the other Asparagus because the others spread by those red berries, and this one doesn't seem to have them, I don't think. Have you seen white flowers on yours? I have never seen them on mine, nor berries.

Thanks again for your help.:-)

Thanks, Happy. I usually don't have painful things in my garden either and have avoided certain cacti as I am semi-accident prone, but this Ming Fern was too beautiful to pass up.

Vossner, here is the MIL's tongue that you were asking about:



Edited to fix spelling:-)

This message was edited Feb 4, 2005 2:21 PM

thanks Clare. It's exactly like the MIL I have. Must have been an optical Illusion. But there is one called ___ gigantea and one leaf is the size and shape of 3 of the regular one. Sort of looks like a canna leaf but stiff as MIL leaves are. Very good looking but have only seen pictures.

My regular asparagus fern has had the white flowers. Then the regular asparagus fern as well as the foxtail fern have had red berries every year. this year I collected seeds. Let red berries get black then peeled then and there's a seed inside, looks like a bb. Intend to sow them but haven't yet.

Everybody have a good weekend.

Thanks, Vossner. I don't think the Ming Fern will get the berries, but you will have to report on that for us if and when you see them.

Have a great weekend also:-)