Re: Fern question
Hello Barb,
Do not know when you have tried planting your ferns, but I am strictly a fall
planter on those. Get the ferns as they are going dormant (if deciduous), prep the
are to be planted and settle them in this fall. Mulch and water well. They will
come up next spring when they have reasonable moisture and stand a fighting chance
with the hot and dry that comes later in the summer.
Quite often your ferns are not dead, but going into early dormancy when we get
hot dry spells such as this summer. Some ferns even count on this one and return
with a bit of moisture. Bulblet Fern is one example. Goes ratty, brown, looks
dead. Cut it back, give it some moisture and it comes right back green as can be.
Some ferns require more moisture than others. Some like it on the dry side.
You kind of have to do a bit of homework before planting. Also know the woods
where you are going to plant the ferns. Some ferns are set up to do the colony
thing, others are kind of loners... another aspect.
Those black bugs are probably Blister Beetles. They will strip anything in
that family and move on in a few days to your Clematis (if you have one). Happens
around here every year at the same time. They have a passion for my Pasque flowers
and then my Clematis.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: James N. Tilton <tilton44@erols.com>
Subject: Re: Fern question
> Hey Chris!
> Plant them in my yard!! I think we've managed to do away with every
> single one we've planted so far! If the critters don't get 'em, the
> drought will. We had hoped to fill a large area in the woods with ferns
> but no luck so far.
>
> Do you know what kind they are? (and where one gets them?)
>
> Barb (southeastern PA zone 6/7, where I'm still wondering what those
> black bugs are eating what's left of my Japanese anemones!)
>
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