| Fern plants provide a handsome decoration for | | | | late winter or early spring when new fronds appear. |
| indoors or outdoors. There are many types of ferns | | | | Pots or baskets should not be too large as the plants |
| available which can be grown in containers indoors, | | | | like to be crowded. Wire baskets are normally lined |
| sheltered patios or courtyards. Most fern plants are | | | | with moisture retaining fern bark or sphagnum moss. |
| grown in pots or hanging baskets but some like | | | | Ferns must be kept damp at all times although they |
| Staghorns and Elkhorns, can be wired to wooden | | | | will require less water in winter when the growth is |
| uprights or boards. | | | | slower. Ferns need little feeding and dislike |
| 'Ferns' described as a group need cool, moist | | | | concentrated fertilizers. It's safer to give them |
| conditions. When indoors they are best in full light | | | | water-soluble fertilizers applied every 3-4 weeks |
| from a window facing south or where summer | | | | during warmer weather. |
| sunlight can be dulled by curtains. Free air movement | | | | There are 200 species in the maidenhair fern family |
| is essential as ferns do not respond well to still, dry | | | | which differ in leaf shape and size. Maidenhair fern |
| air and are prone to attack by insects (aphids, mealy | | | | (Adiantum) is very popular for hanging pots and |
| bug and scale) under poorly ventilated conditions. | | | | baskets. The fronds are finely cut on long wing |
| Potted ferns are best used as decoration indoors for | | | | stems. Attractive when used for flower |
| only short periods of time (1-2 weeks) only then | | | | arrangements and bouquets. |
| returned to a shady, sheltered spot for the same | | | | Tree ferns (Cyathea) are the giants of the fern |
| length of time. | | | | family and are best grown in a shady position outside. |
| Soil mixture needs to be suitable for potted ferns | | | | They can be grown in large tubs or in a corner bed |
| consisting of equal parts of garden loam, sand and | | | | of a courtyard. |
| peat moss or leaf mould. Potting up is best done in | | | | All species need semi-shade and plenty of moisture. |