[INDOOR-GARDENING:172] Re: Artillery Fern

---

• To: i*@prairienet.org
• Subject: [INDOOR-GARDENING:172] Re: Artillery Fern
• From: K* F* <k*@prairienet.org>
• Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 07:50:58 -0600
• In-Reply-To: <Pine.GSO.3.95q.990220210805.457A-100000@rac5.wam.umd.edu>
• References: <15930b09.36cf665a@aol.com>

At 09:14 PM 2/20/99 -0500, you wrote:
>
>Hi everyone.
>
>I'm looking for info on the artillery fern (sorry, don't know the
>scientific name).  I received one as a gift not too long ago, and it was
>adorable at the time.  Since then, however, it has lost almost every leaf
>on it.  It has grown a few tentative replacements, but now looks very
>fragile.  Any suggestions?  Currently, it gets only artificial light
>(weak) and is living with an overgrown boston fern, birds nest fern, and a
>rabbit's foot fern (which is also looking delicate, but by no means
>sickly).  Any info would be appreciated.

Although it looks fern-like, the artillery plant (Pilea ...) isn't a fern.
It is socalled because the flowers explode open, scattering their pollen.

My guess is that it is probably not getting enough light and too much
water.  It likes bright, indirect light.  It should be kept evenly moist,
but drier in winter.

While the plant is recovering, be careful not to overwater.  With minimal
foliage, its water needs are greatly reduced.

I have a special ICU area in the kitchen where I keep plants that need
regular monitoring.  It's bright but out of direct sun and, most
importantly, right at eye-level so I can inspect the plant closely every
time I walk by.

Good luck!

-- Karen


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Karen Fletcher                                   kef@prairienet.org
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