Beautiful Boston Fern
by
Mary Insana
+9
I bought a Boston Fern for the first time this summer. I always thought they were hard to grow so I stayed away from them. To my suprise it is beautiful and I did minimal care. Is there any way to bring it indoors for the winter. I hate to see beautiful plants be thrown away. I live in Pittsburgh and it gets pretty cold here. Any ideas?
12 answers
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I don't have any personal experience with Boston ferns, but here is a document that might help you: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-141.pdf
3po3
on Oct 10, 2012
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You'll definitely have to bring your Boston fern in for the winter, Mary. The pointers in Steve's link are good. Providing enough humidity will be your biggest challenge. There are more tips here: http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/indoorfern.html
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 11, 2012
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Thanks guys. I looked on both places and found what i was looking for.
Mary Insana
on Oct 11, 2012
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Mary, I have been bringing mine in for the past few years, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger :) I have mine in a South facing window and give it 8-10 ounces of water per day. Take out again every May.
Gail Salminen
on Oct 11, 2012
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Thanks Gail. Now just have to figure which window is facing south ! She is still looking very healthy but I'm going to bring her in tonight because the temperatures here have been getting in the 30's at night.
Mary Insana
on Oct 11, 2012
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@Mary I. You should definitely bring your fern in at those temperatures, but for the next couple of weeks, try to take it back outside during the day to help it acclimate to its new (drier and darker) environment.
Douglas Hunt
on Oct 12, 2012
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@Mary I. I think right now just bring it in. You may not have a south facing window, so if you don't choose the one where it fits and gets the most daylight sunshine. I am sure it will be fine. Expect some loss of foliage as it adjusts to the new environment. In the spring, start by putting it out during the warm days and put in at night - we have a sun shelter on the deck and put it there at night as long as the temperature is above 40 F, good luck!
Gail Salminen
on Oct 12, 2012
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Gail, I did bring it in last night and put it in my son's room. He's away at college so I have his furnace outlet closed and the room isn't quite as warm as the rest of the house. Not a south facing window though. I was going to put it above the sink in the kitchen(south window) but it is so big i wouldn't be able to use the sink! We do have an enclosed sun porch so thats where I'll put it in the spring.
Mary Insana
on Oct 12, 2012
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they are so inexpensive, I just get new ones each year
Maureen H
on Oct 13, 2012
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@Maureen H - you are so right, in the summer they are inexpensive these days. There is a certain satisfaction in getting it to grow indoors for the winter months and watch it grow. So in the spring you have a much bigger plant to adorn the patio :) But if you don't have the room this can be difficult.
Gail Salminen
on Oct 13, 2012
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@Mary I. Just thought I would check in to see how your fern is fairing. Mine has been for a few weeks and I had forgotten the shedding that goes on. Just wanted you to know this is normal and no reason for concern. I am seeing stabilization now, but there is still some shedding to come LOL
Gail Salminen
on Oct 31, 2012
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My fern is still looking great. If only my cats would quit playing with it.
Mary Insana
on Oct 31, 2012
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