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Boston Fern to go outside for summer, can I trim?
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Posted by prairiemoon2 zone 6/MA (My Page) on Sun, May 4, 08 at 6:11
| Hi,
I have two boston ferns, that I want to bring outside for the summer. They have been semi neglected all winter in a dry house and they are not looking their best, I would like to trim them all the way back to the ground and get all new growth. Would this be a mistake? Will they appreciate this type of treatment. Would like to see them fill in thickly. I don't want to cut them all back if it will take them a long time to recover.
Any hints on preparing them for outside and how I can make the most of them while outside all summer. I have a location with a very short amount of morning sun that I was going to try one in. How much sun do they tolerate?
Thanks very much... :-)
pm2 |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Boston Fern to go outside for summer, can I trim?
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| Sure you can trim them; if there are pretty fronds, leave them and trim the ratty ones. You might already see some new fronds coming up, so watch out for them. A good deep soaking might get them going. I'm sure they can take a fair amount of morning sun, but limit any sun after 12-1 pm (at least in Georgia, the Massachusetts sun may be kinder in the afternoon!). |
RE: Boston Fern to go outside for summer, can I trim?
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| Thanks esh...sounds good. I think even here in MA the afternoon sun is too much for a fern. I will be careful to place it correctly, I would hate to set it back and have it take the whole summer to look good again. Your suggestions will help a lot... :-) pm2 |
RE: Boston Fern to go outside for summer, can I trim?
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| If your fern has been in the same pot all winter, you should probaby put it in a bigger pot, shake off all the loose potting soil and replace with fresh potting soil and some organic matter. Ferns are not heavy feeders, but people often forget that they can't keep feeding on the same old potting medium forever, especially if you want it to generate new foliage. Lainey |
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