Again within the yr 2001 I went mountaineering with a buddy. Up excessive on the cliff was a tiny hen nest fern that was about an inch tall.
I scraped that little fern off the rock face, I should not have, however I did.
I’ve had this fern for over twenty years now.
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| My 20 yr previous hen nest fern trying drained |
I put the tiny fern in my pocket and completed the day of mountaineering nonsense. After I acquired dwelling the fern was bruised and crushed, however nonetheless alive so I crammed a small pot with soil and planted it.
I used to be all the time advised that previous tea leaves are good for ferns. So I used to tear open used tea baggage (and generally additionally new tea baggage) and sprinkled the tea leaves across the pot.
The little fern grew very quick. To today I don’t know if the tea leaves helped or not, all I do know is that factor acquired massive fast.
Because the fern was rising in opposition to a rock face it solely had fronds on one facet. It took a while and many rotating the pot every week earlier than it crammed out on all sides, however we acquired there.
The fern grew giant, and generally produces spores on the again of some fronds. I figured this was an indication that I used to be taking care of it properly.
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| Hen nest fern spores |
I repotted it a number of occasions because it grew, and moved home with it many occasions. I am unable to give this fern a bigger pot as I actually wrestle to elevate the one it’s in now.
At my final home the fronds reached about six toes in size. It was actually spectacular.
Since then this hen nest fern has declined. The biggest fronds at the moment are solely round a metre lengthy, and it seems to be typically fairly shabby as you’ll be able to see from the images above.
The opposite week we had a variety of rain, so I moved my fern out to get some rain. Rain is nice as a result of it washes mud off the fronds and flushes away salt construct up within the soil. Usually I wrestle to life the pot, however this time it weighed subsequent to nothing. It has been in that pot for round a decade, I have not actually been caring for it very properly, and there was little or no soil left. Maybe that is why it seems to be so drained!
I’ve since acquired some soil and leaf litter and crammed up the empty house within the pot as greatest I can. I additionally sprinkled some used tea leaves over the brand new soil. Hopefully I did not let this go on for too lengthy and new soil this fixes all the things.
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| Hen nest fern, new fronds |
With the mixture of hotter climate of spring, new soil/leaf litter, and having the rain flush out any constructed up salts, this fern must be able to do some rising once more.
It already has some fronds beginning to develop. I ponder if the brand new fronds can be bigger, or if it should take a while for it to supply lengthy fronds once more.
Hopefully it does not take too lengthy for the hen nest fern to regain its former glory and look wholesome and luxurious once more.
