Garden fern - planting and care in the country
Content:
On their land plots, many people grow not only plants that bring practical benefits, but also what is simply pleasing to the eye. Among such green spaces is the fern, the hero of fairy tales and legends of the Russian people. How to plant it correctly, how to properly care for it and which pests to take care of, few know.
What fern is grown in the garden
Ferns are a family of green plants that numbers more than 10 thousand different species. This representative of the flora lives all over the world. Prefers shade and humidity to sunny and dry places. In addition, it is quite unpretentious. Taken together, this spore plant is an excellent option for garden greenery. Once it was used for food, attributed medicinal properties to it. Now the fern has a decorative status.
Fern
This family historically has a mysterious halo. People believed that the fern blooms only on the night of Ivan Kupala, in the thickets above the treasure. Anyone who wants to find him will be disturbed by evil spirits, a mysterious color (in the folklore description - beautiful, iridescent with all the colors of the rainbow) must be found before dawn. This is what the legends of the people say. It has long been proven that ancient man mystified a common phenomenon. The fern itself does not bloom. Young, folded fronds or other plants blooming in the neighborhood were taken for the legendary flower.
This representative of the flora sheds its greens for the winter. It would be a mistake to call it leaves. The fern has no leaves - only leaf plates, which are scientifically called vayami. They can be different in size depending on the species: from only three centimeters in length and up to the height of the trees. The root system of this plant family is strong and powerful.
The fern in the garden has long been a novelty for summer residents. It is used by everyone: both an amateur gardener for a flower bed in the yard, and a professional for landscape design. The most commonly used types are:
- Common ostrich. Its frond resembles an ostrich feather, which is where the plant's name comes from. Such sheet plates can be up to one and a half meters in length. The root of the Ostrich goes down, grows vertically.
- Orlyak ordinary. This fern is loved to be planted on school grounds. It is relatively low - fronds can reach 70 centimeters. It resembles an eagle feather in shape, hence the name of the species. For animals, it is poisonous, but for people it is not dangerous. Its root system is also vertical, while strongly ramified.
Young frond
- Female kochedyzhnik. At first glance, the garden fern is similar from species to species; only a professional can distinguish it. For example, in the female kochedyzhnik, the dissection of the leaf plate is more pronounced than in the Ostrich or Eagle. A frond of a fern grows as required by a particular variety - some do not exceed 30 centimeters, others reach 70. The root of this species is short, but thick.
- Nippon goose skier. Like the female, he has a clearly visible dissection of the frond. It is this species that gives out an unusual color - grayish-green, with dark red veins. It is noteworthy that, although the fern loves shade and moisture, the Nippon cochidian still needs a little sun to make the pattern of his frond appear brighter. Moreover, when multiplying by spores, the characteristic of the variety is not transmitted, only when a new sprout is grown from the root.
Orlyak ordinary
There are many types of fern, but it is the ones listed above that are ideal as summer cottages.
How to plant a fern
In general, this representative of the flora is unpretentious. Planting a fern is easy - you don't have to bother with it as with whimsical roses. Nevertheless, a number of recommendations will have to be followed so that the plant takes root and pleases with lush bushes.
In open ground
Ferns can grow very strongly, capturing new territory. Then it is recommended to plant them so that they do not crowd out other plants. Planting and caring for a street fern in the garden has several important points that require attention:
- Shadow. Ferns die in the active sun. Therefore, it is better to select shady places for them. In the case of the Nippon kochedzhnik, you need to choose a corner where only the first rays of the sun will fall, otherwise it requires protection from the sun.
Nippon Cochiner
- Loose earth. Transplanting the fern at random will not work. It cannot be planted in caked soil. He actively "breathes" by the root and suffocates in solid ground. The soil should be loose, not trampled down.
- Frequent watering. Without exception, all fern species love moisture. This means that they are planted by abundantly watering the planting hole. In the future, they ensure constant maintenance of moisture in the place where the bush grows. In this case, the water should not be allowed to stagnate. Good drainage is important at the roots.
- The right time. It is better to plant ferns in open ground in the spring, while the fronds are young. This increases the chances that the plant will take root.
- Do not tighten. The dug out sprout needs to be transplanted as soon as possible. You can't keep it in the air for a long time, otherwise the roots will begin to dry out.
In a pot
The street fern in the country lives for several years. Nothing lasts forever, and sooner or later the plant dies. However, if you pick up its sprout in a pot in the fall and take it home, grow it over the winter, then in the spring it will be possible to plant a grown-up seedling in the country. He will have a better chance of adapting to the new environment.
Fern transplant
This fern planting has its own nuances:
- Moderate lighting. You should not push the pot into the far corner. The house will be too dark for him. It is as harmful as the burning rays of the sun. It is better to choose a room where the fern will stand near the window, but at the same time it will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
- Watering. All ferns love water. Therefore, sometimes you can arrange a small shower for the plant. Be sure to ensure that the soil at the roots does not dry out, remains moist.
- Pot size. Ferns in the garden usually grow large, not dwarf. They have a powerful root system, this is important to consider when choosing a pot. It is better to take the one that is larger, so that the plant definitely has a reserve for growth.
- Temperature. There is an opinion that the fern needs coolness, therefore, the temperature in the room with the sprout must be no higher than 15 degrees. This is mistake. This representative of the flora will be quite comfortable at 22-23 degrees Celsius.
- Humidity. Dry air harms this plant, therefore, during the heating season, it is not necessary to keep it near batteries and heaters. It will not be superfluous to humidify the air in the room or spray the fern with water, in the rain - open the window to increase the humidity naturally.
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You can also transplant it into a pot and take Orlyak into the room (in this case, the above recommendations will do).
How to transplant a fern from the forest
Sometimes there is a very beautiful fern in the forest. This happens when the soil and conditions are ideal for this representative of the flora. A person wants to have the same handsome at home. Then he, for sure, will want to transplant him to his territory. Forest fern in this regard has its own set of rules:
- Moderate bush size. I want to get everything at once, that is, dig up and transplant a large bush at once. This is fraught with the death of the plant. The larger the fern, the more powerful its root, which, in addition, branches strongly. Chances are good to chop it off with a shovel. It is better to dig up a small or medium bush without scraping the soil from the roots. As a lump is removed from the ground, so a lump of fern is transported to a new home.
- Remove most of the leaves. Experienced gardeners recommend removing 90% of all leaf fern plates. Planting the fern as it is is not recommended. If the greens are well thinned out, the plant will be able to throw strength on adaptation, and not on maintaining the state of each frond.
- Plant in new soil immediately. Ideally, the transplant looks like this: a fern in the forest, watered an hour before the manipulation, is dug up. The roots are not cleared of soil, and a small amount of soil is taken with them. After digging up, the plant is immediately carried to a new habitat. Forest land is added to a pre-prepared hole, then fern is transplanted, do not forget to water it well.
Who harm the garden fern
Like all living things of this world, the fern in the country and in the house can get sick, parasites can harm it. The gardener must be ready for this.
Digging up a fern in the forest
Diseases
The Fern family can be overcome by viruses, fungi, bacteria. It is necessary to notice problems in time and take measures.
Fern diseases
| Disease | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Anthracnose | The fronds darken, brown spots appear on them | Remove damaged parts, treat the remaining greens with a systemic fungicide. Reduce watering and spraying. |
| Root rot | Yellowing and falling leaf plates | Less watering |
| Gray mold | Affects the whole plant | Remove damaged parts. Treat the survivors with a special fungicide. Avoid getting water on the frond. Avoid nitrogen fertilizers. |
Fern anthracnose
Pests
Not only due to some diseases, the plant can begin to wither. Sometimes a completely healthy, full of strength fern suddenly begins to fade before our eyes, to ache. Then you can suspect infection with any pests. The most common ones are listed below.
Fern pests
| Pest | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Whitefly | The lethargy of the fern. White little moths fluttering from the leaves. Spots of gray mold, eggs and larvae on the back of the leaf. | · If the infestation is not severe, you need to arrange a cool shower for the plant. Whiteflies die in the cold. The procedure is repeated several times, since eggs are immune to cold. If a room fern is sick, you can put it in a cool (about 12 degrees Celsius) place at night. · If the infection is serious, then special insecticides should be applied, which make the plant sap poisonous to insects. |
| White suckers | Small white wingless insects on the soil | They appear from waterlogging of the soil, therefore it is necessary to reduce watering. It is recommended to dry the earth. |
| Mealybug | White bloom on fronds or in soil, on the walls of the pot | · If plaque is on fronds, remove affected parts and topsoil. · If plaque is on the soil, transplant the plant into a new pot and fresh soil, after thoroughly rinsing the roots with water. |
Mealybug
Proper care of your garden fern
The fern must be cared for like any other flower. It is especially strictly required to comply with a number of conditions necessary for him in the first year after transplantation:
- The soil in which this spore plant grows must be moist.The fact that he needs moisture has already been said. The fact is that this requirement is especially important during the first year from transplantation.
- Top dressing. Ferns, like humans, sometimes need minerals and vitamins. Therefore, in the spring and summer, it is recommended to feed them with fertilizers. You can buy them at any floriculture store.
- Loosening. Ferns have developed root "respiration". This means that they are saturated with oxygen not only through the fronds, but also through the roots, and they are more active than many other flowers. Therefore, it is impossible that the earth around them cakes, it is recommended to loosen it from time to time.
The fern is an ideal plant for budding gardeners. Growing it takes a minimum of effort. Still, you should not let the growth of flora take its course, you must definitely pay due attention to any flower in your garden.
