Place the Boston fern in the new pot. Add soil around the sides , tamping down gently as you go to eliminate air pockets around the plant’s roots. Smooth out the top level of soil and tamp down gently. Clip off all withered or brown fronds from the newly potted fern.
How do you repot a root bound fern?
Hold the fern in one hand, then tilt the pot and guide the plant carefully from the container. Place the fern in the new container and fill in around the root ball with potting soil up to about 1 inch (2.5 cm.) from the top. Adjust the soil in the bottom of the container, if necessary.
How do you fix a root bound fern?
Pat the soil around the roots to remove air pockets, then water the fern thoroughly . Place the plant in partial shade or indirect light for a couple of days, then move it to its normal location and resume regular care.
Can you repot a rootbound plant?
There are two primary solutions for a rootbound plant. First, you can repot your plant, loosening the roots and putting it in a larger pot so the roots have room to expand. This is a good solution if you want your plant to keep growing and when you have a larger pot available.
Do Ferns get rootbound?
Most Boston ferns benefit from repotting at least every two to three years , although some fast-growing ferns may require repotting more often. Several signs indicate your fern needs a larger home. ... A badly root-bound fern may crack the pot. It’s a good idea to repot the plant before this happens.
Should you break up roots when repotting?
Roots packed tightly in a pot don’t take up nutrients efficiently. To promote good nutrient absorption, trim the roots and loosen up the root ball before replanting. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears for this job, removing as much as the bottom third of the root ball if necessary.
Is Epsom salt good for ferns?
Your ferns might benefit from the addition of Epsom salt in their water. It can be applied once per month and ideally should be done when the fern is growing rather than when it is dormant.
Should you break up roots before planting?
Planting holes should be dug twice as wide as the root ball and eight inches deeper than the root ball. ... Breaking up the root ball with hands or a knife prior to setting the plant into the hole helps to encourage root growth into the surrounding soil.
Should I water after repotting?
Plants may appear wilted and thirsty, but take care to refrain from watering until about a week after re-potting to ensure that any roots damaged during re-potting have healed. ... To prevent from over-fertilizing and damaging your plant, you can hold off on fertilizing for about 6 weeks after re-potting.
Do you have to loosen the roots before planting?
Loosening (also known as teasing or tickling) the roots before planting enables the roots to spread out and grow in all directions where they will branch out and form a good foundation for the plant. Teasing roots apart is a best practice for all plants, but it is crucial for plants that are pot bound.
Do ferns do well in pots?
Ferns perform well in a shallow pot that allows enough space to accommodate the roots plus an extra inch to allow for growth. With too much extra space, the larger amount of damp potting mixture around the roots often leads to root disease.
What is the best potting soil for ferns?
Ferns prefer potting soil with good drainage and high organic content . A potting mix should have peat moss or sphagnum for moisture retention, sand or gravel for drainage, and sterilized bagged garden loam or potting soil.
How often should ferns be watered?
As a rule, they prefer 1 to 2 inches of water a week , but this also depends on the soil and the growth rate. Ferns grown in light, sandy soil require more frequent watering than those grown in dense clay soil.
What happens if you break roots when repotting?
Spiralling roots cannot be left as they are when repotting, because they can strangle the rootball , impairing the growth and health of the plant.
Should you remove old soil when repotting?
Most potted plants require repotting every one to two years, usually in spring as new growth first begins to appear. Removing most of the old soil and repotting the plant can also help minimize disease and pest buildup in the soil that could affect the health of the plant.
How do you know when your plant needs repotting?
- Remove plant from current pot. ...
- Loosen the roots. ...
- Remove old potting mix. ...
- Add new potting mix. ...
- Add plant. ...
- Water and enjoy.
