Caring For Bernie

I had an opportunity to repot my sweet little Bernie, and I wanted to discuss the steps to repot a Maidenhair fern with you. Maidenhair ferns are a beloved plant species due to their unique frond-like leaves and delicate nature. While maidenhair ferns require extra care, they make an excellent addition to any home or garden.

There are several essential points to remember when it comes to maidenhair fern care. The most crucial factor is that maidenhairs need plenty of indirect light and humidity. Therefore, placing them in humid areas like bathrooms can be helpful. Additionally, maidenhairs prefer evenly moist soil, so you’ll need to water them regularly and mist the leaves with tepid (not cold!) water every few days.

Bernie lives in this window area in my kitchen. She is the focal point in this plant grouping. The grouping of plants creates a humid environment, from which Maidenhair ferns benefit. I give her a small sip of water each morning because Maidenhair ferns need consistently moist soil (not wet, but moist). The primary window is north-facing with a secondary east-facing window. So Bernie receives consistent bright light with a small amount of sunlight in the early morning. I also have a grow light in this window to provide light during cloudy or stormy days.

Maidenhair ferns are beautiful, delicate houseplants that need regular care to ensure their health. If a maidenhair fern is not cared for properly, it can quickly become sickly and die. One key element of caring for maidenhair ferns is repotting them occasionally when the soil’s moisture levels become too low and the existing pot can no longer accommodate them.

From time to time, maidenhair ferns will need to be repotted. You should often check the soil’s moisture levels to determine when it is time for repotting. Also, if the roots are growing out of the bottom of the pot, you’ll know it is time to move your Maidenhair fern to a larger pot. This was the case with Bernie. Her delicate roots were growing out of the drainage hole in the bottom of her original pot.

I don't have a potting shed or a greenhouse, so I do my repotting on a bench outside. It was raining the day I repotted Bernie, and I hope she tolerated the temperature changes. Time will tell; meanwhile, she looks beautiful.

To repot a maidenhair fern correctly, you’ll first want to gently remove it from its current containers to minimize damage to its roots. Then select an appropriately-sized pot with plenty of drainage holes, ensuring the soil doesn’t stay too wet after watering. I chose a terracotta pot for Bernie, hoping for more oxygen flow to the roots. Then fill the new pot halfway with soil, place the maidenhair in the newly-filled pot, and fill it with more soil, pressing down any air bubbles as you go along before giving your maidenhair a thorough water. The best times of year for repotting maidens are during spring or early summer when they have the most energy reserves and can quickly rebound, so check if your maidenhair needs repotting now and then!

As I just mentioned, the best time of year to repot maidenhair fern is springtime or early summer when its growing season begins. However, depending on its growth rate, maidenhair ferns may need to be repotted more frequently.

I love Bernie, and I hope she flourishes in her new pot.

If you’re careful when it comes to maidenhair fern care, your maidenhair should be with you for years to come! With extra TLC, maidenhairs can become the treasured focal point in any room.

Thank you for reading this blog post, and if you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the Comments section below.

Copyright © 2019 I Don’t Know All The Answers, Nikki Mastro.

All of my photographs and documents are Copyrighted.

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