As of last year, this fern had cracked its pot, so I knew I'd have to do something with it before the unfurling of the fronds this spring (in-ground Woodwardias are already unfurling!). A few weeks ago, I picked up a small half-barrel, and yesterday I had the chance to mix up a batch of potting medium. My mix was made from pine bark mulch, large-sized perlite, screened pine/fir bark fines, pumice, and some charcoal. Because this is a gritty mix, I added the screened pine/fir bark fines for moisture retention (instead of peat-moss). I also added a small amount of Osmocote fertilizer. Then I watered and rinsed the mix in the sun, and allowed it to sit overnight.

This morning, I removed the fern from its pot and evaluated the roots.
Back when I first potted the fern, I was working under the false assumption that large rocks in the bottom of the container would increase drainage. I had also incorporated "packing peanuts" to lighten the container. Anyhow, I removed the rocks, then I sliced away the bottom of the root-ball. I trimmed up the sides of the root-ball, too, then I centered the fern in its planter and added in the new mix.

On with the pictorial –
Here are various shots of the fern, the crown, the new mix and barrel, the re-potted fern in my wheelbarrow, and the fern back on the front deck (where it spends the year). I don’t plan on keeping the fern in this barrel for more than two years, but I still lined the barrel with plastic to keep the roots moist and to keep the barrel from collapsing prematurely. I hope these pics are helpful and enjoyable!

Josh

Nice tutorial, thanks for posting!

I was really impressed by the roots, as well. No wonder the pot had cracked.

You're quite welcome, sluice! Thanks for responding. I'll post recovery
pics as soon as the fronds have sufficiently unfurled.

Josh

Pic from this morning -

Lainey

Enjoy!

Josh

Clickable thumbs

Josh

Josh

Love the fern - we have six species of Woodwardia growing outside here - they're amazing, especially W. unigemmata with bright red new fronds!

Is that a form of Polystichum setiferum Divisilobum Group to the left of the Woodwardia in one of your later pictures? If it is, it seems to have very narrow fronds. Any id on it?

Cheers,

Maurice - total fern freak!

I bought that fern labeled Polystichum setiferum angulare - Alaskan Fern.
Perhaps it was misidentified? Either way, it is wonderful and delicate.

Josh

Josh

And, of course, I just had to snap an update pic! ;)

Josh

First up, a pic from May 31st, earlier this year. The second and third pics are from a few days ago.
Although the fronds are a bit difficult to see against the background, some of the fronds topped out at
42 inches in length. It's easily 6 feet wide now. Next Spring, re-potting is a must!

Josh

So you're going on 3 years with the 5-1-1 mix? Does it still seem better than a typical peat based mix, or has it completely broken down by now?

This time of year, the older fronds are starting to lose color as the plant prepares to discard them...
so the overall look isn't quite as crisp and green as it could be. I just couldn't resist an update pic ;-)

Next Spring will mark the third year with this particular mix. I can tell that the bark is breaking down
slowly, but the mix hasn't compacted (settled lower in the container) at all, which is great.

I'll take pics when I re-pot, and I'll report back. I think most of the bark will still be recognizable
as bark.

Josh

And here's a closer look at the soil...

I'm asking a sort of off topic question about your series of photos, spanning the whole series.

Can you tell me what is the function of that dish with water in it? It's been there from the beginning. And I'm curious about things, because I know you've swept leaves away many times and still.....there is the dish?
Is it for your cat? Or for wild birds?

And, back on topic, have you changed the 5-1-1 mix or refreshed it I should say?

And, I have not found the sort of short fat half barrels that you have planted it in. I like those very much.

First, you got it! That dish is for my cats. I keep a dish of water on the front and back deck.
Also, that dish was the drip-tray for the original glazed pot that the Chainfern cracked.

Back on topic, I have *not* refreshed or changed the 5-1-1 mix at all.
What you see above is the same mix from May of 2009. Even when I dig down into the mix a bit,
the particles are still discernible (though more moist and interlocked with roots). Now, let me
clarify about this mix: it is different than the traditional 5-1-1 recipe. First, I've used
*uncomposted* bark (which greatly adds to the longevity of the mix). Also, I've used Perlite and red
Lava rock (Scoria) for structure, drainage, and moisture retention. Lastly, instead of using peat
moss to bind the other ingredients, I simply added back in some of the bark fines that I'd screened
from the bark. At the time, I did not have Dolomitic Garden Lime for calcium/magnesium, but I
have fertilized infrequently with Foliage Pro 9-3-6. So there you go, full disclosure.

I found the half barrel at Target for $13 at the time. I wish I'd gotten another.

Josh