Re: Zone info for any fern

In a message dated 4/4/01 10:25:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
abtrlife@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

<<
 Just had a thought. Considering the 50-55 degree minimum, maybe it would
 be nice as a houseplant? Or, use it in pots outside during the summer,
 then bring inside as houseplants for the winter.

 Karen >>

I would add another thought since ferns are on the menu today.  I have a
number of ferns in pots that have no ancestry that I know of.  They are in
the winter garden (which is really part of my house) all wintering around 50
degrees more or less.  Some do not grow, they "hold" for better weather but
they remain green and beautiful.  I cannot offer them any better temperature
so they "takes what they gets".  I have never lost a fern.  The optimum temp
is probably the temp at which they will grow.  Lower temps hold the fern
without harm.  Less water is necessary.   If you can ID the fern, it is a
good idea to find if it is an epiphyte.   If that is the case, watering is a
different procedure.  The problem is generally that overtime they grow so
large you have to saw them in half or give them to some shop with a large
window.  Fish emulsion fertilizer does the best for me for reasons I cannot
remember.

Summing up, you can always buy any fern that intrigues you and keep it in a
pot.  Every one has some shady space in the garden that needs a lift and it
can summer there.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
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