Nephrolepis

 
Нефролепис

Davallian family. Beautiful fern, the most hardy and common among indoor fern cultures.

The most common species of Nephrolepis exaltata with straight erect leaves up to 60 cm long, and its varieties: Nephrolepis Boston Nephrolepis bostoniensis with simple drooping cirrus leaves, Nephrolepis Piersoni with complex cirrus leaves, etc. There are complex feathery forms of ferns, when three or four times dissected leaflets on wai.

Nephrolepis looks good as an ampella plant, and can be placed both in a regular pot and in a hanging basket. Good for both growing in halls and flights of stairs, and in bathrooms if there is a window. Do not use chemical agents to add shine to the leaves.

Secrets of growing ferns

Nephrolepis care

Temperature: Nephrolepis prefers mild temperatures. In summer, it is desirable around 22-24 ° C, does not tolerate heat above 30 ° C, especially if the room is not ventilated. In winter, it prefers coolness, but not lower than 13-15 ° C. Does not tolerate cold drafts. It can grow year-round in normal home conditions.

Lighting: The place for nephrolepis should be quite light, but with shading from direct sunlight, light partial shade. It can grow in quite dark places, but the bush will be quite 'liquid' and ugly. The best place is near the windows of the southern and western orientation, the windowsill of the eastern and northern windows. It can grow in completely artificial light.

Watering: Preferably with lime-free settled water. But as practice has shown, nephrolepis is tolerant of salt content in water. The frequency of irrigation depends on the temperature and growth rate: in spring - in summer plentiful, after the upper layer of soil dries, the next day. In winter, if the temperature is cool, then watering is moderate, after drying in the upper layers of the soil, wait a few more days before watering. Nephrolepis does not tolerate complete drying of the ground when the soil turns to dust. The root neck of the fern protrudes from the pot over time, which makes it difficult to water, then it is watered from the pallet using the immersion method.

Fertilizer: Liquid fertilization for indoor deciduous plants from May to August every two weeks.

Air humidity: Nephrolepis, despite its endurance, does not tolerate dry air well, and therefore requires frequent spraying. Ideal humidity is about 50-55%. Place the plant away from radiators and batteries.

Transplant: In the spring, only when the roots fill the whole pot. Doesn't like too spacious pots. The soil should have a slightly acidic reaction. The soil is the 1 part of light sod, the 1 part of sheet, the 1 part of peat, the 1 part of humus and the 1 part of sand.

Reproduction: Mainly by dividing the bush or branches. There are usually no problems with reproduction - cut off part of the roots with leaves with a knife during transplantation and put them in a small pot. The fern takes root quickly. But new leaves grow slowly at first.

Growing problems

The leaves turn yellow, brown spots appear on them - the temperature in the room is too high, above 30 ° C the temperature is not desirable for ferns. With an increase in temperature, humidity also needs to be increased. The reason may also be not regular or insufficient watering.

The leaves turn yellow, the plant grows poorly - the humidity in the room is too low, the proximity of the heating system, it is also possible from excessive watering - check the soil in the pot.

The leaves are faded, translucent, lethargic - too intense sunlight (usually in spring or summer).

The leaves are pale or dull, the ends turn yellow or brown, the plant does not grow or grows poorly - lack of nutrition, too tight or too large a pot.

Leaves can turn yellow, brown, curl and fall, young leaves wilt and die - if it is too cold, from watering with cold water, from overfeeding with fertilizers.

Pests of Nephrolepis

A spider mite can harm at any time of the year - the cobwebs are almost invisible on the stems, but the leaves become lethargic, turn yellow and fall off.

Control measures. Rinse the whole plant in soapy water for 2-3 minutes, rinse thoroughly with a hot shower. Repeat a week later. In case of severe damage, treat with actellic or castor oil.

Scutes, thrips, worms do not appear so often, are inconspicuous on the leaves, cause severe yellowing and drying of the leaves.

Control measures. All these pests can be fought with such an affordable remedy as actara or confidor. You need to prepare the solution according to the instructions, spray the crown and water the soil.